Vision & Vek = Bravo!!!
Bruce Lauffer | Pennsylvania | 11/07/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Vision" by composer Jace Vek is the sort of recording that will make any piano buff hug themselves with glee. Not only is there some truly wonderful piano playing here, it is technically impressive as well. In addition, the listener is treated to Vek's own compositions. His refreshing and spontaneous style combines new age piano, symphonic film score, and contemporary classical into his own unique style. Vek evokes much emotion in his writing - from the tender, quiet, and sensitive works like "Jennifer's Largo" and "Mari's Eyes" to the dramatic and powerful "Thadet Variations" - his music is sure to excite each listener. This music is a remarkable, fresh approach to contemporary music.His performance is as complete as any performance I have heard, and make light of the many technical difficulities which are inherent in some of his compositions. His fingerwork is deliciously crystal clear when called upon. Emotionally, the music sounds inspirational in his hands.In November of 2000, Jace Vek was a featured soloist with the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra. His sold-out performance at the World Class Nemacolin Resort & Spa, was full of vibrant vigour and spendid playing. He had the audience on its feet cheering! This year, Vek will be soloing with the Royal Sylvan Philharmonic. This concert will feature six world premiers by Vek for piano and orchestra.Technically and artistically, Jace Vek once again gives a superb performance on this recording. He is a very talented, young composer with a very promising career, both as a pianist and composer. I am pleased to give this CD my highest recommendation! I also encourage you to check out his CD (to be released in the near future) with full orchestra - the music is full of passion!(...) Bruce Lauffer (...)"
Brilliant!
Claudine R. Moreau | Arlington, Virginia United States | 12/17/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although I am not a huge fan of classical or new age music, Jace Vek's "Vision" is a CD that this poet puts in the player for inspiration. It is perhaps cliche to say that Vek's music brings me to tears, but it does. I find myself wrapped up in the songs so tightly that I don't want them to end. "Songatina" is a favorite (as I picture myself seaside under a starry night sky when I hear it), but every song is thoroughly enjoyable and serves as inspiration for the muse. My vision is that Vek will succeed in bringing a new audience to classical/new age piano that once wouldn't consider this genre their cup of tea."
From Solo Piano Publications
Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 10/14/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Vision" is a stunning collection of magnificently composed and performed piano solos by Jace Vek. As I listened the first couple of times, the piano teacher in me smugly thought, "Now here is a pianist with years and years of training!" I went to Vek's website, and was completely amazed to read that he was self-taught up to his successful audition for a music scholarship to the Creative Arts program at West Virginia University in 1990. A few years later, he was chosen by Marvin Hamlisch to perform an original composition at Pittsburg's Heinz Hall, receiving a standing ovation from a sold-out crowd. At the age of 28, Vek's musical career looks extraordinarily promising. His compositions are definitely classical in scope, and his playing style is often "big" in the tradition of Rachmaninoff and Horowitz. He is equally capable of a charming and gentle touch on "Songatina" and "Mari's Eyes", indicating that Vek can "do it all!" I read that the first seven tracks indicate Vek's ability to compose and perform "contemporary/new age pieces", and the other seven pieces are more classical and show his "impressive technical ability". Since the definitions of "new age piano" and "contemporary classical" blur more all the time, I don't hear a big difference in the styles, which is good. "Gate C-61" opens the CD with a quiet, plaintive little melody that gradually builds and gathers energy, explodes in crashing chords, and then quiets back to a gorgeous melody that again builds energy very gradually, seamlessly melting into "Romance". These pieces are an excellent preview of what is to come on the album, as they show Vek's tender side as well as his power. "Jennifer's Largo" is a favorite, with its gentle melancholy. "Mari's Eyes" has a dark Russian feel to it, but swirls a bit like a waltz - very beautiful! "Tocatta in G# Minor" is full of flash and bravura, sounding like it is from another time. "Kaleidoscopic Etude" is also big, flashy, and fun, borrowing phrases from classical music here and there. "Pastoral Moment" quiets the mood but is full of energy and optimism. The three Tadet Variations and Intro are somewhat more abstract and free-form, but hold together beautifully, again demonstrating the range of Vek's emotional and technical playing. These are perhaps the strongest works on the album. "Overture to Nemacolin" (the resort and spa where Vek has been resident pianist for the past eleven years) closes the CD with a pensive, hauntingly beautiful melody.This is a very exciting album from a very promising young artist! Sure to be on my "10 Best Albums" of the year list, I give "Vision" my highest recommendation."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1