Book of Life Concerto is the second EP from pianist/composer Lisa Swerdlow this year, and what an amazing work of art it is! The first three tracks on the album are the three movements of the concerto itself, and the last two are pieces that were recorded as piano solos in the last few years and orchestrated for this album. Doug Hammer, also an amazing pianist/composer in his own right, did the orchestrations, as he has done for some of Lisa’s earlier recordings; Doug also mastered the album. Lisa recorded the piano at Joe Bongiorno’s Piano Haven Studios on Joe’s Shigeru Kawai Concert Grand piano and, as always, the piano sound is superlative. The three movements of the concerto are “Possibilities,” “Disappointments,” and “Discoveries” - all very vital components in everyone’s lives in that they present opportunities to grow, learn and try new things. The other two tracks are “Through It All” and “Dawn Contemplation.” I always look forward to new releases from Lisa for their musicality, but also for the honesty and clarity of both her composing and her expressive playing.

Quoting Lisa about “Possibilities”: “Life is going to present us with new possibilities at every juncture which is both exciting and daunting. Ultimately it is up to us to find what path is the one that speaks to us.” Sometimes hesitant and sometimes bold and exciting, the mix of emotions flows smoothly and seamlessly from one to the next. “Disappointments,” as difficult as they can be, are often Life’s best teachers. Again quoting Lisa: “I use these feelings to find purpose as they are a wake-up call.” It’s fascinating how the left hand part doesn’t copy, but is reminiscent of Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata.” The piano and strings (especially the cellos!) create a melancholy mood without falling into despair. I love this movement! “Discoveries” encourages us to frequently step out of our comfort zones to try something new. “A purposeful life is built on one measure at a time, and eventually you will see Life as a Concerto!” Big, triumphant and optimistic, it brings this beautiful concerto to a peaceful conclusion while leaving us feeling very satisfied.

“Through It All” was composed as a piano solo when Lisa’s wife was very ill and is the title track for Lisa’s 2023 album. The addition of strings and other symphonic instruments gives this heartfelt piece even more depth and poignance. “Dawn Contemplation” was released in 2020 as a piano solo on Lisa’s Lasting Impressions album as well as an orchestrated single. It’s a powerful and deeply affecting piece of music that brings this excellent album to a close.

Longtime fans of Lisa Swerdlow’s music will love Book of Life Concerto. If you are new to her music, this is an excellent place to start! The EP is available to download or stream on Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes, and on many streaming services including Spotify and Pandora. Don’t miss this one!