When I started listening to Jon Galfano’s Galfanopiano, I had a tough time with the sound of the piano (which is electronic). It has a very metallic, brittle sound that made it difficult for me to get into the music. Maybe I’m a purist (well, I AM a piano teacher!), but I think if an album is going to have “Piano” in the title, it should be recorded on a good acoustic piano. For me, with a different title, the quality of the instrument’s sound wouldn’t have been as much of an issue. That being said, Jon Galfano’s compositions are quite interesting. Some are recorded as solos, and others have synth back-up. “Russian Snowfall” opens the CD on a peaceful, somewhat haunting note. The melody is melancholy, and the playing is somewhat percussive. The piece has a very nice flow to it, and I’d love to hear it on a good acoustic. “She’ll Never Know” is one of the more orchestrated pieces, and is much more upbeat. “Lilly’s Song” is almost whimsical. It has a series of runs from near the top of the piano, and many of them end before they seem like they should - to me, it sounds a bit like someone who is in a hurry to get somewhere and then forgot where he or she was going. Then the melody goes in another direction and tries it again. A good-natured, energetic piece, this is my favorite track on the album. Galfanopiano is dedicated to Jon’s mother, “and all afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease, their families, and friends who love them...,” so some of the pieces are quite sad, as are the liner notes. The music is a pleasant backdrop for reading, relaxing, or a nice meal, and is available from cdbaby.com.