ACCOLADES
Sognare is a five-track solo piano EP by pianist/composer Carol Comune. The title translates to “to dream” and the project marks an exciting and deliberate new chapter in Carol’s creative journey. She explains the concept of the album as “a nocturnal journey into the world of dreams. These original piano compositions are a story told on a moonlit night, with music that is at once intimate and expansive, moving from a deep state of reverie to a peaceful, cloud-like conclusion.” To enhance the soft and dreamy effect of the music, most of the tracks sound like the piano is lightly felted, softening the effect of the hammers hitting the strings and allowing some of the sounds of the piano action to come through. While the music is very soothing and relaxing, it is by no means boring or ear candy. It would work well as background music for a nice dinner or a quiet event, but the grace of Carol’s piano touch and the lyrical beauty of her music need to be focused on to be fully appreciated.
In addition to being a composer/pianist, Carol Comune is an educator and a Steinway Artist who received the Steinway Top Teacher Award in 2016 and 2017. She started playing the piano at the age of three, began composing at eight, was awarded scholarships, and studied with a very impressive list of internationally-known teachers. She is on the faculty of Westminster Conservatory and has maintained private piano studios since 1973. Quoting this very impressive and accomplished artist: “For seven decades, the piano has been my voice. My music is a memoir meant to offer listeners a sensitive soundtrack to reflect on their own lives.”
Sognare begins with “Butterfly’s Kiss,” a lovely metaphor for “a gentle, fleeting moment of beauty.” The short passages of alternating notes make it easy to visualize the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings as it pauses for a sip of nectar and then moves on to another flower - a gentle yet colorful start that drifts off at the end. “Demi-tasse” is described as “an intimate moment of quiet reflection." I think I hear some brief snippets of Bach in a few places, which makes sense if it is Carol’s own moment of reflection and so much of her life has centered on classical music. Intentional or not, those short passages only add to the charm of the peaceful music. “Dream Within a Dream” musically explores the complex, layered world of the subconscious. Much of the piece is played in the upper octaves of the piano, and the felting keeps those notes from becoming too bright or at all harsh - beautiful and very soothing. “Notte di Luna” reflects on the still, soft glow of a moonlit night with a very expressive and flowing feeling that provides something of a mind massage. My favorite of the five tracks is “Nuages,” which is French for “Clouds.” Carol calls it “a peaceful, drifting return from a reverie.” The music suggests the unhurried, swirling movement of clouds on an otherwise blue sky, in no rush to get anywhere and moving on the whims of a breeze. Quietly hypnotic, it’s a lovely close to a very special album.
Sognare is available to stream and download from Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes and is on many streaming platforms including Spotify and Pandora. Very highly recommended!
Kathy Parsons
“I am an ardent fan of the music of Carol Comune
who composes with impeccable and original style. Her music offers an escape from everyday stress
and worries into a realm of beauty, pleasure and relaxation.
Every Sunday morning my husband and I listen to her lovely CD
Soliloquy of the Soul which offers us a time of peace and reflection.
Her original piano composition "Longing," which she wrote to "soothe the heart and soul,"
captures the composer's intimate feelings.
This beautiful and sensual work embodies the extraordinary and outstanding talent of Carol Comune.”
Cindy Kessler, FSCTM, NCTM President, TCMTA.
Owner & Director. Stuart School of Music
“Sleeping Beauty is charming and imaginative, artistically presented . . .
a beautiful effort and gift for all of us, as musicians and citizens of the world.”
Jean Stackhouse, Pedagogy
“Sleeping Beauty is an immediately appealing score,
beautifully written with descriptive elements that excite the imagination. It begs to be choreographed.”
Variations for Piano “ O, God Help Our Ages Past” is a fine display of Carol Comune’s versatility.
The complex content of the variations indicates an advanced level of musical skill, craftsmanship and expression.”
Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee, Composer
The FJH Contemporary Keyboard Editions
“Gealyn and Me . . . thoroughly contemporary and fresh-sounding . . . progressive teachers will
welcome these very unique ensemble pieces for study and recital use.” “Sleeping Beauty” tale and doubly
gratifying in that the work is so imaginative and colorful. Variations is exceptional “. . .
Donald Waxman, Composer
Galaxy Music Corporation a division of ECS Publishing
“Reflections, a single solo piano release from Carol Comune.
Her touch is effortless and masterful, gracefully defying categorization.
Her original compositions soften the lines between classical, pop, and ragtime, creating a
distinctive style of her own. Comune started playing the piano at three,
so it sounds as though playing the piano is as natural and necessary to her as breathing.
“Reflections” demonstrates this so well and is a beautiful piece that expresses a variety of emotions. ”
“Even though it was released twenty-six years ago, Echoes from Coquina is fresh and timeless.
If you love peaceful music with a nature theme, be sure to check it out!
“This album Intracoastal makes a lovely backdrop for a cozy dinner or reading,
but treat yourself by really listening to the beauty of the music and Ms. Comune’s expressive playing style.”
Kathy Parsons, 2018 MainlyPiano.com
“In an era of high tension and stress,
Carol’s beautiful writing is a welcome relief...reminiscent at times of Ravel, Debussy and Satie.”
“Farm of Dream’s is her finest yet! Her music is filled with peace and serenity, combined with a genuine love and concern for nature and the environment. Carol’s playing touched us from the heart, and is always welcome to this listener.”
Ron Della Chiesa-WGBH, Boston, National Public Radio
“Intracoastal is unquestionably one of the best Contemporary Solo Piano products that I’ve ever heard...
your writing and performance have a unique clean and clear quality,
showing an excellent blend of your classical music training and background with your original work.”
Bob Cannon-WUMB-FM, Boston, MA
“...high quality production, performance, and presentation...Intracoastal is absolutely beautiful!”
“Farm of Dreams is unabashedly romantic…delicate and passionate all at once;
the perfect blend of emotion and musicianship. It’s an album you’ll fall n love with.”
Anne Williams-National Public Radio
“Poetic, intimate solo piano music
will never go out of style as long as there’s a talent like Comune to seduce the ivories”
New Age Retailer
“Inspired and inspiring, this is professional solo piano with sensitive expression and lovely compositions.
Quality never falters in concept or balanced performance,
with the artist’s emotional forte considerably more evident than many piano soloists.
Contemporary Winstonian sound so fine one could hope one day the term might become ‘Comunian’.
Carol’s control is exquisite as well so that the expressive flow is delivered with wonderful expertise.”
Acadia Heartsong Review