Search - Michael Allen Harrison :: Rose Garden Suite

Another Fine Offering from Michael Allen Harrison

S. Cairns | Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, United Kingdom | 06/08/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Rose Garden Suite" is a collection of ten piano solos from Michael Allen Harrison, released to celebrate the 96th. annual Rose Festival.Setting piano music to different types of roses is an original and quite beautiful idea. Each rose is unique and has its own special character, and the same can be said of each of the ten tracks in this 43 minute disc.I loved Candace Wheeler's observations about the unique qualities of the rose, written in 1902 and quoted on the back cover of the disc. She states that the rose... "has almost a monolopy of admiration. In love and literature, ancient and modern, it is a leading figure. A mysterious something in its nature- an inner fascination, a subtle witchery, a hidden charm which it has and other flowers have not- ensnares and holds the love of the world."Michael Allen Harrison does an impressive job of capturing the beauty of each of the ten selected roses. Particular favourites include Track 1- "Gift of Life", Track 5- "Awakening", Track 7-"Wild Gypsy Dancer" and Track 10- "Timeless". These are probably the most melodic tracks on the disc. I particularly ennjoyed the first track- very nice to listen to. Track 7 is great fun too; very playful and succeeds in showcasing Michael's tremendous ability on his Steinway piano, with the ever-increasing tempo of the track.Most of the tracks are very accessible. Three are jazz in style and, whilst it would be an understatement to say I have a dislike for jazz, even I can appreciate the skill of the composer's compositions.This CD is very nicely packaged, right from the attractive front cover, to the full colour images and information regarding the ten different roses within the insert.An impressive CD which I can recommend."