Christine Brown’s Reflections of Japan is a collection of thirteen original piano solos inspired by her recent travels to Japan. One of my favorite pianist/composers for well over twenty years, Christine never disappoints with her graceful touch and beautifully-interpretive compositions and arrangements. The music in this album reflects “the peaceful rhythm, quiet stillness and soothing whispers of Japan,” as Christine shares her memories of delicate flowers, elegant gardens, majestic mountains and so much more! It’s always fun and interesting to see people’s photos from their travels, but, in a lot of ways, Christine’s music describes her experiences even more vividly with music and colorful expression.

Reflections of Japan begins with “Whispering Cherry Blossoms,” a light and delicate piece that describes the beauty of these beautiful flowers that have become a symbol of Japan itself. The easy tempo of the music suggests a gentle breeze that keeps the blossoms in motion. “Echoes of Kyoto” has a more mysterious feeling and a freely-flowing left hand that gracefully tells much of the story. “Roots and Wings” has a gentle, flowing quality that is sometimes earthy and grounded and sometimes goes soaring skyward. “Garden Waltz” suggests the grace of a couple (or maybe several couples) dancing in a gorgeous Japaneses garden. I’m not sure any other musical instrument is quite as good at describing rain as the piano, and “Sakura Rain” is a perfect example. A “maiko” is a young girl who is in training to become a geisha, and “Maiko Dance” is an expressive piece with a simple melody that suggests beauty, grace and innocence. “Soul of the Keys” is one of my favorite tracks on the album - a truly soulful piece that speaks directly to the heart with deep emotion. “Bamboo Breeze” picks up the tempo quite a bit with an easy flow that never stops moving - magical! “Quiet Rituals” is another favorite. I love the way several themes become interwoven as they flow in and out of the piece. “Beneath Fuji’s Gaze” is both majestic and delicate, suggesting the strength of the mountain as well as the more delicate life around it. I really like this one, too! “Ancient Reflections” considers the very long history of the Eastern part of the world. “Mountains in the Mist” makes effective use of the piano’s damper pedal to create a “misty” feeling that softens the view of the mountains a bit. The album comes to a peaceful close with “Path of Tranquility,” and the music feels like it is drawing the stress right out of your mind and body - and who couldn’t use a little more of that these days?

Reflections of Japan is available on CDs or downloads from Christine Brown’s website. The album can be downloaded and streamed on Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes, and is also available on many streaming services including Spotify and Pandora. Very highly recommended!