Sognare is a five-track solo piano EP by pianist/composer Carol Comune. The title translates to “to dream” and the project marks an exciting and deliberate new chapter in Carol’s creative journey. She explains the concept of the album as “A nocturnal journey into the world of dreams. These original piano compositions are a story told on a moonlit night, with music that is at once intimate and expansive, moving from a deep state of reverie to a peaceful, cloud-like conclusion.” To enhance the soft and dreamy effect of the music, most of the tracks sound like the piano is lightly felted, softening the effect of the hammers hitting the strings and allowing some of the sounds of the piano action to come through. While the music is very soothing and relaxing, it is by no means boring or ear candy. It would work well as background music for a nice dinner or something, but the grace of Carol’s piano touch and the lyrical beauty of her music need to be focused on to be fully appreciated.

In addition to being a composer/pianist, Carol Comune is an educator and a Steinway Artist who received the Steinway Top Teacher Award in 2016 and 2017. She started playing the piano at the age of three, began composing at eight, was awarded scholarships, and studied with a very impressive list of internationally-known teachers. She is on the faculty of Westminster Conservatory and has maintained private piano studios since 1973. Quoting this very impressive and accomplished artist: “For seven decades, the piano has been my voice. My music is a memoir meant to offer listeners a sensitive soundtrack to reflect on their own lives.”

Sognare begins with “Butterfly’s Kiss,” a lovely metaphor for “a gentle, fleeting moment of beauty.” The short passages of alternating notes make it easy to visualize the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings as it pauses for a sip of nectar and then moves on to another flower - a gentle yet colorful start that drifts off at the end. “Demi-tasse” is described as “an intimate moment of quiet reflection." I think I hear some brief snippets of Bach in a few places, which makes sense if it is Carol’s own moment of reflection and so much of her life has centered on classical music. Either way, it only adds to the charm of the peaceful music. “Dream Within a Dream” musically explores the complex, layered world of the subconscious. Much of the piece is played in the upper octaves of the piano, and the felting keeps those notes from becoming too bright or at all harsh - beautiful and very soothing. “Notte di Luna” reflects on the still, soft glow of a moonlit night with a very freely-expressive and flowing feeling that provides something of a mind massage. My favorite of the five tracks is “Nuages,” which is French for “Clouds.” Carol calls it “a peaceful, drifting return from a reverie.” The music suggests the unhurried, swirling movement of clouds on an otherwise blue sky, in no rush to get anywhere and moving on the whims of a breeze. Quietly hypnotic, it’s a lovely close to a very special album.

Sognare is available to stream and download from Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes and is on many streaming platforms including Spotify and Pandora. Very highly recommended!