| When it comes to New Age piano music, I have a | | | | was music that sounded classical, yet wasn't. It |
| few favorites. In fact, there are really just 2 | | | | was more atmospheric and easily digestible. In |
| people that come to mind. And both of them | | | | short, it gave listeners an experience of |
| have completely different styles. I'm speaking | | | | something profound. Yet it was easy on the ears. |
| about George Winston and John Herberman. | | | | My next favorite New Age pianist/composer is |
| George Winston literally put New Age piano music | | | | John Herberman. Now most of you probably don't |
| on the map. Of course, there were other's before | | | | know who he is. He records for the "Solitude's" |
| Winston who specialized in this genre (namely | | | | label. Solitude's combines nature sounds with |
| Steven Halpern) but it was Winston's album | | | | music. |
| "December" that skyrocketed this style of piano | | | | When I first heard Herberman's music, I was in a |
| playing into popular culture. | | | | Images of Nature store in La Jolla CA. And I have |
| To say that this music was and is different than | | | | to tell you that I was immediately spellbound. It |
| what most people usually listen to is an | | | | literally put me in a trance. So poignant and |
| understatement. And really, this kind of music | | | | beautiful were these simple melodies. And played |
| shouldn't have been as popular as it was, but | | | | with the hands of a master. |
| when this album came out in the early 1980's it | | | | Herberman's style is very different than Winston's. |
| captivated a large audience. | | | | A much lighter touch is employed, yet the music |
| I think it may have to do with its accessibility. So | | | | that comes out is sublime. |
| many people are afraid of classical music because | | | | If you're into the New Age piano music genre, I |
| they think they have to "figure it out." It is, for | | | | highly suggest listening to "Forest Piano" by John |
| the most part, much more organized and subtle | | | | Herberman and "December" or "Autumn" by |
| than what most people listen to on a daily basis. | | | | George Winston. You won't regret it. |
| Then along comes Winston with "December." Here | | | | |