From MainlyPiano
by
KathyPiano7
"Heart Strings" is the elegant follow-up to Steven C.’s 2007 release, "Signature." This time Steven traveled to the legendary Abbey Road Studios in England to record with the London Symphony Strings conducted by Grammy Award winning Arnie Roth. The fifteen original compositions for piano and strings are warm, unabashedly romantic, and often have a visual and cinematic sweep. As with "Signature," beautiful melodies are what drive the music, creating an atmosphere of peace and well-being. There can be a fine line between this type of music and ear-candy, but Steven always maintains heartfelt emotion and substance in all of the music while keeping it fresh and accessible. "Heart Strings" would be a very classy backdrop for a dinner or social gathering, but it also invites close listening to hear all of the nuances in the music and the lovely piano performance.
"Heart Strings" opens with “My Angel,” a love song that overflows with innocence and tenderness. “HeartStrings in F#” would be a wonderful romantic theme for a film. Graceful with just a hint of bittersweetness, the simplicity of the melody conveys so much. “Heaven Bound” is a favorite. Much darker than most of the rest of the album, the mood is somber but passionate. Piano and cello together convey such powerful emotions! “First Light” is much more carefree and optimistic, with the promise of new beginnings. “Grace” is almost prayerful with its profound honesty and depth of feeling - another favorite. “Sundown” changes the mood a bit with its Latin rhythm and exotic flavor. From its title, I would expect “Too Many Hats” to be kind of frenetic and harried, but this piece seems to be quite cheerful and accepting of its lot - a lovely piece! I love “Mistress Music,” which again features piano and cello (as well as other strings). Graceful and passionate, it is a deeply-felt love song to a muse. “Opus Derian” was composed on the spot in a church while looking at a very small child’s coffin. Tragic yet very powerful, this piece has been featured on Oprah. This stirring collection closes on an “up” note with “Wedding Day White.” Joyful from start to finish, the piece includes phrases from Pachelbel’s “Canon in D.”
Steven C. has created another winner with "Heart Strings." Contemporary with classical underpinnings, it is sure to bring a smile! Recommended!
Review from NewAgeMusicWorld.Com / NewAgeMusic.nu
by
Review Publicist John P. Olsen
Steven C is an acclaimed composing pianist recognized by many for his inspirational piano and orchestral music having a graceful vibrancy that gently touches the inner spirit in a mindful way, and while music in all forms reaches out for some level of emotional response in each of us, music that inspires while moving the inner spirit is the greatest of all.
Heart Strings is the current release by Steven C. Anderson and one highly regarded in the music industry as the greatest of every release he has produced so far. After listening to Heart Strings for myself, I felt you too will find this refined beauty a classic portrayal of popular music in harmony with finely tuned orchestrations a moving and inspiring one. In fact there is a good chance many of you have already heard and felt the majestic scores of Steven C in television programing.
The true sincerity of his efforts as a musician happens to be a matter of record since the recordings and live performances of this St. Paul Minnesota resident have already been presented on The Today Show and Oprah Winfrey, along with PBS, QVC, and the Discovery Channel, so chances are everyone will have another opportunity to hear his television productions again in the near future. With over 2 million units sold, Steven C has also performed with top artists Mannheim Steamroller and his presence on digital music programming and broad radio audience includes Music Choice, in addition to over 150 radio stations worldwide. Steven C’s earlier Solo Piano release Signature made a number 2 debut on the ZMR New Age Charts in 2008.
Heart Strings has several fundamental components which nicely enhance the energetic structuring and vibrant resonance behind this unique project having the sustenance to brighten your spirits every single day. One being the original 15 piano melodies composed and performed by Steven C on a Bosendorfer Grand Piano was combined with the prestigious London Symphony Strings Orchestra with some additional strings provided by Brigid McCarthy and Michelle Kinney. If the admirable inclusion of The London Symphony Strings Orchestra is not enough assurance to inspire and warm your heart, there are the dynamic elements of Grammy Award winning arranger, orchestral conductor, and Mannheim Steamroller band member Arnie Roth, with additional contributions from Andrea Bocelli, Charlotte Church, and Mannheim Steamroller founding leader Chip Davis.
In another fact of distinction, the piano and orchestrations heard in Heart Strings were recorded in London England at the renowned Abbey Road Studios, and where a countless number of beloved musical greats including Cliff Richard, Pink Floyd & The Beatles had performed their cherished classics in studio. Just like the music icons before him, the same innovative recording techniques were used to enhance and achieve the noticeable audio refinements on this uplifting instrumental classic by Steven C.
Heart Strings is an extraordinary project given the instrumental enchantment it conveys. Moving by expressing a highly sought after level of emotional content for the listener, this vibrant album has the power to transport the inner spirit onward for a multitude of people, effectively inspiring each and every individual response along the way.
