Swedish pianist and composer Carl Liungman delivers a deeply moving and personal collection of solo piano pieces in his third neoclassical album, Change. Released digitally under the Caliu Piano label, the album consists of nine original compositions as it represents the changes that were thrown upon the artist’s life upon the losses of parents followed by struggles in life.
Produced by Carl Granberg, the album, with classical and New Age influences, was recorded live at Malmo Art Museum in May 2024 on a Steinway grand piano.
The album begins with a gentle, flowing piece, “Mother,” that feels like a tribute to the nurturing and care of the composer’s mother. The rippling piano keys dance with grace, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere.
“Final Days” opens with slow, deliberate keystrokes that wind through the composition like a river, reflecting the inevitable passage of time. The piece evokes a gentle plea or farewell as it conveys life’s fragility.
“Father” is marked by its slow, soft, and almost whispered tones. Liungman’s minimalist approach here reflects the quiet dignity of a father figure whose loss is taken just as gravely with a crushing sincerity.
The title track closes Change, with delicate, pulsing keystrokes that rise and fall like ribbons twirling in the wind. The dynamic shifts in tempo and volume mimic the unpredictable changes in life, from moments of lightness and joy to darker, quieter reflection. At 6 minutes and 20 seconds, this is the album’s longest piece, perfectly illustrating the album’s theme of growth and transformation. Its cinematic feel would lend itself beautifully to a time-lapse video of changing seasons or a plant growing.
Listen to the tender and bittersweet meditative album Change by Carl Liungman on Spotify to accept life for all its impermanence.
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Photo Credit: Gabriel Flores Jair, Linda Carlbark
Review by: Naomi Joan