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reviews
RJ Lannan from www.newagereporter.com
Mark Pinkus calls his public performances Slowing Down Concerts. I like the concept. His idea is to take time to slow down and enjoy, if only for a little while, the peace that comes with the decision. It appears that his contemplative solo piano album, Breakthrough,
can help you do just that.
Ironically, Mark Pinkus was born on the anniversary
of Beethoven’s death. (Tough act to follow). Mark graduated from
McGill University in Canada with a degree in Humanities and received
an Italian Language Scholarship. It allowed him to travel to Italy. There,
and in France, he performed his original compositions for a number of
years. As a trilingual speaker, he hosted his own radio show in Italy.
In Europe Pinkus has lectured on most aspects of breaking into the world
of music, and started a consulting company to help others find their
way through the maze that is the music industry today. Mark has had three
other solo piano albums to date; Starting to Believe (1990), Quiet
Place (1995) and Free Spirit (1997).
Wings of Spring is a delightful introduction
of what is to come. It is a bit of a capricious tune in which
the notes fairly sparkle from the piano. The song conjures
up the images of plump robins in flight, blue, cloudless afternoons,
and the overwhelming sense of Prima Verde. It is the kind of
song that lets the dreamer in us gather a bit of wool.
Think of tall, stately maples, wide golden oaks and green pincushion
pines. Like a slide show, the song Trees presents
you with the view of a never-ending forest. You walk along the wide,
friendly stone path and there, in silhouettes are the trees you have
come to know. Just like old friends, the trees are there to listen and
never, never judge.
Will and Surrender is a bit of a
ballad with a gentle flowing lead, not too bright, but strong.
The cryptic title makes me think that Pinkus is trying musically
to describe a façade on the part of the listeners in
which we are so used to struggling and resisting that we almost
deny ourselves the gift of giving in and taking the time we
owe ourselves.
My favorite track on Breakthrough is Wherever You Are.
First of all the title is terribly romantic. Second, I think that everyone
at one time or another has felt this way. Just imagine being away from
someone you truly love. Even for a short time. There is a pang in the
middle of your stomach. You have a shortness of breath, you are sweating
and you feel an incredible yearning at the bottom of your heart. That
emotion, that very feeling is captured in Mark’s song. It is where
you want to be.
Je pense que la musique de Mark Pinkus nous donne une chance de fermer
nos yeux, de prendre un souffle profond et de rêver nos rêves
pendant juste un peu de moment.
All the cuts on Breakthrough are contemplative
and mellow with the exception of Time to Feed the Birds,
which I found to be a bit too serious and brooding. I like this idea
of slowing down. Mark Pinkus’ music allows us
to slow down almost guilt free. I think I would like to hear this composer
in person, and slow down for a while.
Review by Carl McColman of New Age Voice magazine-
Canadian Pianist Mark Pinkus brings a lyrical and vivacious sensibility to his craft, resulting in an album filled with dynamic, at times playful compositions. Breakthrough celebrates imagery from nature, ranging from frogs to trees, from shadows to birds flying in the spring. "Wherever You Are" evokes the longing of a long- distance love, while "The Bedroom Window" evokes a sense of the comforts of home. Perhaps what makes Breakthrough a total aural joy is how humble it is- in not trying to make a grand musical statement, Pinkus captures the grandeur of ordinary life.
Renee Gelpi, host of Celebration Starsong, CIUT, Toronto, Canada-
"Breakthrough" is very different from Mark's previous writing, so passionate, romantic and active, a great ice breaker!".