Calming Colors is the sixteenth album (plus six singles) from German pianist/composer/multi-instrumentalist Bernward Koch, one of my favorite artists since his days on the Real Music label (starting in the later 1990s). The twelve original tracks on the album are piano-based and feature Bernward playing piano, keyboards, guitar and bells. The last piece on the album also features Bernward's wife, Christiane Boehm, on flute, their son, Moritz, on electric guitar, and Bernward's brother, Christoph, on congas and percussion.

It is very interesting to note that Bernward's music has been certified by Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, as "Anti Stress Music, especially suitable for relaxation, meditation, yoga, chill-out, sleep problems, or general stress management." His music has also been used successfully by the Massachusetts Fallen Soldiers, an organization that treats US soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In listening to Bernward's various albums, it doesn't take long at all to hear and understand why it is so relaxing. Inspired by the beauty of nature and a very strong desire for a more peaceful world, Bernward's gentle melodies and deeply expressive compositions have the ability to transport us to a place of beauty and calm, and who couldn't use more of that?

This quote from Bernward Koch explains his music well:

"Nature is wonderful to see, feel and hear. And I think these natural colors are also calming colors that I encounter every day in my rolling hills and have been made audible on the album. The music is like a calming and soothing walk for me, before or after work."

Calming Colors begins with "Distant Bell," a gently hypnotic piece that sets the tone of the album. Piano, strings, voices and other ambient sounds create a dreamy, peaceful mood that is easy to get very pleasantly lost in. "Solemnly" is a beautifully heartfelt piece that comes from a place of sincerity and grace - a favorite, although I really like them all! "Meadow Dreams" and "Sunny Fields" bring images of wildflowers and warm breezes - a bit of heaven on earth. "Children's Lullaby" is suitable for children of any age - a beautiful and very serene piece for gently dropping into a blissful sleep. "Forever Green" is another favorite and has a kind of Celtic feeling to it. Piano, bells, strings, guitar and some ambient sounds transport us to a place of natural beauty and peace. There is something different about autumn light that signals a change of season as we head into winter, and "Autumn Light" reflects that with a poignant melody along with a sense of calm that goes even deeper with the title track - a piece that stops me each time I hear it. The melody is so simple and yet so incredibly moving. Piano, strings, voices and other ethereal sounds express a soothing masterpiece. This excellent album closes with "Walk On the Beach," one of my favorite pastimes! More uptempo than most of the other tracks, it features piano, guitar, percussion and flute supported by a tropical rhythm that expresses warmth, relaxation and an easy sense of fun.

Calming Colors is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes, and streaming sites including Spotify. Very highly recommended!