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