Favorite Icon, Full size
Album Review: Galaxy, Op. 6
Tim Neumark
Cover image of the album Galaxy, Op. 6 by Tim Neumark
Galaxy, Op. 6
Tim Neumark
2015 / Tim Neumark
49 minutes
Review by Kathy Parsons
Galaxy, Op. 6 is Tim Neumark’s sixth album of original piano solos and quite possibly his best album to date. Inspired by the beauty and mystery of space, the album includes pieces that are lively and energetic as well as music that is moodier and calmer - even ambient and “spacey.” The cover artwork is stunning and Neumark describes the inspiration for each piece in the liner notes. Although the album was released in May 2015, it has already been named Best Instrumental/Piano Album by the Akademia Music Awards. Neumark’s previous release, Storm, was named Best Solo Piano Album of 2014 by One World Music, and it is currently nominated by Enlightened Piano Radio for Album of the Year. I would fully expect Galaxy to do equally as well.

Galaxy opens with “Preludio,” which is an arrangement from Dvorak’s Czech Suite. Light and graceful, it evokes a peaceful mood that has just a slightly mysterious edge. “Starlight” was inspired by the beauty of a night sky (away from the lights of the city) and the bright twinkling stars as they appear on the darkened backdrop of the sky. “Orbit” picks up the tempo and the excitement level, swirling through space and time. “Vast” is the meditation track for this album (Neumark always includes one) and is intended to convey the feeling of floating through space. The most ambient of the twelve tracks, it is also the most peaceful - VERY relaxing! “The Inner Light” refers to the inner beauty within all of us and is a graceful and lyrical ballad that is both thoughtful and soothing. “Tapestry” is a series of musical themes woven together in much the same way life’s events weave together to define who we are. “Night” is much darker and moodier - slow, mysterious, and yet dreamy. “Time’s Arrow” is my favorite track on the album. The steady tempo throughout represents the relentless passage of time and the somewhat melancholy melody explores the concept of time itself. The closing track was inspired by a quote from Pericles: “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Introspective and calming, it’s a lovely close to an exceptional album.

Tim Neumark has become a prominent and very active member of the solo piano community, and his music just keeps getting better with each new album. Galaxy, Op. 6 is available from TimNeumark.com, Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby. Recommended!
June 28, 2015