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Silent Star
Silent Star is Bernward Koch’s fifth release on the Real Music label and his ninth album to date. Koch’s longtime fans from around the world will be thrilled with the gentle, beautiful music they have come to love and expect from this German multi-instrumentalist and composer; if you are new to his music, it’s a wonderful introduction. The music was inspired by and is dedicated to Otto Lilienthal (1848-1896), the “father of flight” and an inventor Koch has admired since childhood. Koch composed and recorded the pieces during a very creative period last fall. He wrote thirty tracks and selected fourteen for the album. He also played all of the instruments this time: piano, keyboards, synthesizer, guitar, bass, cymbals, percussion, and programming. Most of the music is very open, free, melodic and soothing, plus a few tracks that are more upbeat and lively - a nice combination. Although the album features a variety of musical instruments, the music is definitely piano-based with the other instrumentation adding washes of color and enhancing the moods.

Silent Star begins with “The New Day,” a warm and welcoming piece full of promise and grace. “Softly Awakening” has a more classical style, with steady chords on the left hand and a simple, heartfelt melody on the right; piano and strings create musical magic. “She” is a bit livelier, but just as gentle and sweet - a favorite. “Distant Memories” changes the mood with accordion and bagpipe-like droning sounds telling a different aspect of the story. The middle of the piece is more ethereal, and then the bolder first theme returns and closes the piece. The title track is gorgeous. Atmospheric sounds, strings, and angelic voices suggest vast open space while the hypnotic piano melody soothes and relaxes - love it! “Cafe Noir” picks up the tempo a bit and adds a little more orchestration. Flowing with a gentle sparkle, it evokes feelings of effortless floating through space. “Vision Emerging” is another favorite. I love the magical feeling of freely moving from star to star, savoring the wonder of it all. “Harmony Found” is joyful and innocent with a light touch and faster pace. “The Color of Spring” is soft pastel colors and easy contentment. “Anthem” is my favorite. It begins as a piano solo, adding strings, voices and other keyboard sounds as it gracefully evolves. “Ice Flowers” delivers a chill. The reverb on the keyboard conveys the feeling of being lost and alone, but as the piece unfolds, it becomes warmer and less desolate. “Remember Blue” is a surprise. An upbeat Latin-style rhythm gives it a pop flavor and is likely the most radio-friendly piece in the collection. Warm, energetic, and very catchy, it’s a delight! “Shades of Rain” closes the album on a more subdued note. Slow, graceful and kind of melancholy, it’s a lovely way to end our journey.

The release date for Silent Star is September 27, 2011. It will be available wherever Real Music’s releases are sold. It’s a beauty, so check it out!

Kathy Parsons
www.mainlypiano.com

9/10/11

Gentle Spirit
Silken melodies float on soft languid tones, soothing the mind and easing away the cares of the day. A few of the fifteen tracks have strong but quiet rhythms, while others are more ethereal. (…) "Gentle Spirit" is a soothing balm for the mind and soul. It's a beauty!
Kathy Parsons - MainlyPiano.com

Fueled by reflective dreaminess and soft, emotive piano melodies, Koch creates tapestries of soft instrumentation and lilting melody lines. Serene music for relaxation and quiet times.
Music Design - In Review

Montagnola – Dedicated to Hermann Hesse
„This is an outstanding release from the German composer. I am amazed these compositions are improvisations; they have the feel of a polished performance, and it is a testament to the undisputed skill of the composer that these unrehearsed pieces are as close to perfection as one could wish. Lovers of heart-felt, deeply personal, reflective and gorgeous piano music should acquire this release. The accompanying CD insert is interesting- it contains a poem by the great man (written in 1941 and entitled ‘Steps’) along with photographs.“
Piano Heaven Award Winner, May 2008 - Stephen Cairns, piano-heaven.co.uk

“Der Nachhall von Leidenschaften, Gedanken und Gefühlen strömt durchs Zimmer, und man sitzt still da, als ob eine Bewegung, ein lautes Atmen den versonnen Spieler aufschrecken, den Zauber zerstören könnte. Gerade leiser gehört entfaltet “Montagnola” seine Wirkung. Fein gemacht von Koch sowie der Tontenchnik. Und eine CD, deren Klang eine solche Atmosphäre erzeugt, gehört ganz sicher in diese Rubrik.”
Audiophiles Highlight 09/2008 – STEREO

“Montagnola” transportiert andere Aufmerksamkeiten vermittels meditativer Musik, so, also würde Koch einer philosophischen Aufforderung in Hesses “Glasperlenspiel” folgen: Jeder von uns ist nur ein Mensch, nur ein Versuch, ein Unterwegs. Er sollte aber dorthin unterwegs sein, wo das Vollkommene ist, er soll ins Zentrum streben, nicht an die Peripherie.”
JAZZTHETIK

Walking through Clouds
Although there is a free-floating element to the atmospheres Koch creates, most of the 16 tracks clock in like tightly structured pop tunes, and the melodies — and their innocent charm — seem to get more captivating as they go along. In a world so cynical, it's wonderful that people can take a CD cover of clouds and butterflies not only seriously, but also as an opening to a seriously joyful musical remedy.
Jonathan Widran,
All Music Guide

Bernward Koch's signature mix of intricate compositions and flowing piano technique appears once more on Walking through Clouds. Koch's sparkling piano work is accented by flute, guitar and understated percussion, making this a reflective, relaxing and sentimental collection of contemporary instrumental music.
Heather Phares,
All Music Guide

Journey to the Heart
“If you want to relax after a hard day, or if you`re driving through a lovely landscape, listen to this music in your car- JOURNEY TO THE HEART heals your soul and life appears to be more picturesque.”
Borders Review

“A tender collection of melodies that wash over you like a gentle rain.”
The Lable

“Gorgeous, sparkling melodies.”
Napra Review

Picante
“Bernward Koch’s project PABLO is one of the best in Latin Jazz. With rich instrumental arrangements and a precise production PICANTE has a large amount of melodies, a rhythmical part which isn`t exaggerated and a brilliant concert acting of the musicians” 
World and Voice, Spain

„A vivacious mixture of catching Latin-sounds, urban sounding Jazz, crispy Funk and unobstrusive Rock-elements. These 12 attractive songs, invite with partly funny arrangements to a musical summer party.”
Musikwoche

“A spicy Cocktail consisting of Latin, Reggae, Rock, Funk and Jazz, recorded with enjoyment and perfectionism.” 
Keyboards

Still Magic
“His songs reflect emotions, the music doesn`t step into the foreground, but Bernward Koch is able to create eternal melodies.” 
Westfaelische Rundschau

“Excellent mixture of Pop, Jazz and Easy Listening…especially in the US a big audience,…as composer a favoured melody-creator with delicate sense for the most effective balance between catchy melodies and musical aptitude – the new Bert Kaempfert.” 
WOM Journal

Laguna de la Vera
“Classical, distinctal concord and jazzy improvisations…dreamlike elegance of sparkling melodies with
formal arrangements show us a composer, who has learned his trade.” 
Wege & Visionen

“Relaxation for the soul.”
Westfalenpost

Flowing
“I wanted to hang on every hounting note…, very impressionistic, like being floated down a river of rose petals”  New Age Voice

“A tender collection of melodies that wash over you like a gentle rain.” The Lable

“Gorgeous, sparkling melodies.” Napra Review