Fernweh - The Need To Travel is a collection of sixteen original pieces by Richard Dillon. His fifteenth album to date, all of the tracks were released as singles between 2017 and 2025. Most of the pieces are solo piano, but a few have synth effects and instrumentation. Richard plays most of the pieces that have those additions as well as some of the piano solos and, due to arthritis in Richard’s hands, his good friend, Neil Patton, plays eight of the other tracks. The album covers a lot of musical and emotional territory from light-hearted to heartbreaking. I’ve reviewed several of Richard’s previous albums and singles, and I think this is my favorite so far!

Richard Dillon is a life-long musician who started playing the piano as a child. He grew up with Asperger’s and ADHD, and found solace at the piano. He holds A.A., B.A. and Masters of Music degrees, and his career has been varied. Usually considered a “New Age” pianist/composer, Richard prefers “Neo-Impressionist.”

Fernweh - The Need To Travel begins with the solo piano “Breakfast With My Best Friend,“ a piece that overflows with tenderness and the ease that comes with sharing time with a very close friend. “Ferweh” features piano and keyboard effects and instrumentation. Very slow and open at the beginning, it hints at tragedy and loss. As it evolves, the music becomes very cinematic and orchestrated and would be incredible behind visuals. The gentle and very poignant “Memories of You” is the first of three consecutive pieces performed by Neil Patton, one of my favorite pianists and an amazing composer in his own right. “Camelot” begins with a dreamy, wistful feeling. As the piece unfolds, more powerful and complex emotions run just below the surface of the music - a favorite! Light-hearted and innocent, “Chasing Butterflies” evokes images of children trying to catch these beautiful creatures on a warm, sunny day. Richard plays “Goodbye” with very deep sadness. The simple melody and gentle broken-chord accompaniment come from the heart and are beautifully-expressed - another favorite. “Only Tomorrow Knows” brings Neil back to the piano bench along with full orchestration in places - also very cinematic and evocative. Neil uses reverb (or the piano’s dampers) to great effect on “Echoes of a Broken Heart,” a simple yet deeply emotional piece that comes straight from that broken heart. “Mother Ireland” was recorded by Richard and is a gentle ode to a beloved country. “Putting Pen to Paper” was also recorded by Richard and includes piano and orchestral instruments - again, heartfelt and very poignant. Neil performs “Butterfly Swarm” and brings visions of large groups of these beautiful creatures swirling in the air together, creating a magical scene. “Into the Mines” includes a variety of effects (train whistle, mining sounds) and other instruments (especially violin/fiddle) in addition to the piano. Very Celtic in spirit, it’s another favorite. Neil performs the very dark “-20” with a haunting and powerful sense of tragedy and loss. “Faded Memories” is also Neil at his expressive best. Richard plays the last two tracks. “Butterfly Dreams” (I think Richard must like butterflies!) is piano with synth effects - very light and sunny. The album comes to a close with “Mother’s Eyes,” a gentle but deeply-heartfelt solo piano tribute to a beloved mother - a great ending to an excellent album!

Fernweh - The Need To Travel is available on CD from Richard Dillon’s website. It can be streamed and downloaded on Amazon, and is also on many streaming services including Spotify and Pandora. Very highly recommended!