CD Review – Heart Strings, by Steven C.

For his latest recording, Heart Strings, pianist Steven C. traveled to the famed Abbey Road Studio in England to lay down gorgeous melodies with the backing of the London Symphony Strings. The result is a musical work of art that exudes elegance and class.

A piano combined with orchestral strings could be ripe for dramatic, over-the-top bombast. Thankfully, Steven C. forgoes keyboard histrionics in favor of subtle, nuanced phrasing whose quiet beauty is underscored by the sweet serenity of the strings.

The interplay between soloist and ensemble creates a synergy that infuses the album’s fifteen tracks with delightful buoyancy that rolls off the ear like a sonic waterfall. All the tunes have their own individual voice and yet have a singular, unified character that enables them to segue from one to another seamlessly.

The tranquil nature of the album provides the perfect environment for relaxation and reflection. It also satisfies on an emotional level. As the title suggests, the music created by Steven C. and his collaborators will tug at your heartstrings.

--Raj Manoharan