I suppose that it is inevitable for a writeup about a solo piano album to begin with an acknowledgment of the current state of affairs in the present classical music scene (a term I coined to balance out the "modern classical" and "contemporary classical" genres, which also signifies the act of being present during the act of listening). It's inevitable to admit the oversaturation of this style as composers and pianists all rush to jump on the bandwagon of the trend and get a piece of that much-coveted pie from the digital platform streaming revenues, no matter how small it is in the end. But it's also extremely essential to point out that not every solo piano album recorded in the night with close-mic'ed felted hammers gently caressing the strings conveys the emotion of its creator and connects us to his soul. All of the ones I've loved have been covered on here. But it is the playing of Otto A Totland that I cherish the most. From the delicate melodies to his beautiful playing, from the tastefully somber storytelling to the technical attention put in each recording, and finally from the overall delivery to the completely absorbing transfer of his mind to mine, through the keys and the fingers, that is what makes this Norwegian composer stand out among the rest. For this exclusive premiere, I have selected one of my favorite tracks from his upcoming album on Sonic Pieces, which happens to be the same one he played on my very own piano when he has visited London about two years ago (okay, so I'm a little bit biased towards that piece). Nevertheless, I invite you to close your eyes and listen and see if you can uncover that memory that seems to somehow remain forlorn.

Read more on this release here: https://hcdi.gs/Pago

Companion

Pago

TRACK PREMIERE : Otto A Totland - Pago

Written and performed by Blake Ewing
Cello performances by Ben Osterhouse

Mastered by Mike Monseur at Axis Audio

Redshift

Fractals

Written and performed by Blake Ewing

Mastered by Mike Monseur at Axis Audio

The Beautiful Nothing

Urlicht

Hands

Solo Piano.  Created LIVE in Real-Time at St. Stanislaus Church, St. Loius MO.

Photo provided by Greg Carr, my brother.

Year of Music XIC

Year of Music: September 1, 2025

Forgotten

Experience the rhythmic pulse of **Spring Movement Suit**, a vibrant collection of over 30 tracks curated by Century One Records. This is more than just an album; it’s an auditory journey designed to awaken the senses and stir the soul. Each piece has been hand-picked to inspire and energize, creating a seamless flow of sound that captures the essence of renewal and creativity.

Perfect for any **music lover**, Spring Movement Suit offers a diverse range of genres and moods, all unified by a powerful and uplifting spirit. Whether you’re seeking a new soundtrack for your daily routine or a wellspring of inspiration, this record is a testament to the universal language of music.

Sping movement 130

Wings II

We asked Equador and David O' Dowda to rework Tiny Leaves - You'll be Okay which was originally released by Pegdoll for Piano Day 2017.

Equador are Henry Binns (Zero 7) and Bo Bruce who with their recent album Bones of Man tasted success with a no 1 on the iTunes UK electronic chart as well as recent appearances on CBS 'Elementary', MTV Catfish and NFL 2016. David O’Dowda is an Irish composer and multi-instrumentalist living in Manchester. He has composed music and songs that have been used worldwide on various films, television promos, programs and advertising including Homelands, The Walking Dead, ‘Netflix Originals’ ‘Hot Girls Wanted’ to name a few.

The infectious Equador sound entices musical osmosis alongside the original composition. Bo Bruce's reflective words and ability to find strength of melody syncs perfectly with Henry Binns' subtle production, increasing perceptual fluency with each Equador release.

David O'Dowda lays down a raw retrospective on the plight of refugees, instilling hope, whilst amplifying the need to acknowledge other humans. An emotive subject matter draws the listener in, highlighting the lyrical content and vocal beauty.

As with the original recordings 'You'll Be Okay Reworked' might not save the world but it will evoke nostalgia for the future.

Tiny Leaves recommences his musical journey with Pegdoll in October 2017 delivering his next album 'Notes on Belonging'.

You'll Be Okay Reworked

Tiny Leaves - You'll Be Okay (Equador Rework)

D MAJ (for Pianoday 2019)

Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Jacob Pavek first visited modern classical music at age 21. After earning a degree in Music Composition, Pavek released his debut album ‘Bloom’ in 2012 -a collage of pieces written for piano and cello. ‘Bloom’ enjoyed an early success with select works performed by The San Jose Orchestra in 2013, and other tracks featured in the Emmy Award-winning documentary "Haiti Love" in 2014 (produced by Dana Johnson and filmed by Dan Huiting).

Since the release of Bloom, Pavek developed his craft further, honing in on the sounds that come from deep down in the subconscious from sitting down at a piano. These sounds formulated his 2015 sophomore release 'Illume'. 11 songs comprised of piano and violin, Illume feels less of a collage of works and more of a cohesive experience with each track blending into the next creating it's own world. The rich grand piano and Leah Ottman's soaring violin performance make it feel as it you were sitting in a dimly lit, empty cathedral. Illume is a clear evolution of Pavek's ability to write from the modern day romantic's psyche, allowing the listener the relation of their own past experiences.  

Wings II

Jacob Pavek

Recent comments

𝆗 𝓜𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓬 𝓕𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓻 𝆗

Cerulean

jukabox

Dismantlists

Related tracks