Evolution - Solo Piano, Op. 11 is Tim Neumark’s eleventh solo piano album and is quite different from most of his other releases. I also proof-read Tim’s sheet music and have for a lot of years, but as he sent me the individual pieces to proof as he completed them over the past couple of years, I kept sensing something was amiss since the music seemed a lot sadder and/or angrier. I finally asked if everything was okay, and Tim assured me several times that the music was reflecting on things that had happened in the past. This paragraph that’s on the back cover of the album explains it clearly:

“To err is human; sometimes life needs an Undo button. Personal evolution is rarely a straight line, and this album captures several moments in my life where I wish I had made a different choice or experienced things differently. With its cryptic track titles and abstract artwork, this album doesn't reveal my innermost secrets directly, but the process of writing these tracks has been quite therapeutic. I hope you will enjoy ‘Evolution’.” - Tim Neumark

Tim was correct in thinking that this music can provide an emotional catharsis. The cryptic titles also allow listeners to create their own ideas and reactions to what the music is “about.” It has been a very interesting process, and I think this is one of Tim’s best albums to date.

Joe Bongiorno engineered, mixed and mastered the album at his Piano Haven Studio in Sedona, AZ, and the sound quality is excellent (as always!).

The album begins with “Runner,” a pensive, reflective piece that seems to be looking deeply inward as it sets the darker tone of the album. Near the end of the piece, it brightens and accelerates, and then slows to the end. “Traveler” is made up of a variety of themes that range in tempo as well as mood and expression. “Younger” is almost mournful with regret and loss being the emotions that come to mind. Some passages start to brighten and then become more intense - really an interesting piece and one of my favorites! When I saw the sheet music for “Flour,” I was stumped by what the piece could possibly be about! Very dark, intense and sometimes heartbreakingly sad, I’m still mystified, but I like the music! “Greener” tells quite a story with a series of themes that are pensive, dark, and deeply reflective - beautiful yet very sad. “Vulture” is another intriguing title! Tim very effectively uses the dampers of the piano to create a mysterious, otherworldly atmosphere behind the passionate piece itself. “Beggar” is another very sad and beautiful piece that feels a bit like a soliloquy where someone is telling the absolute truth without holding anything back. “Writer” begins in the deep bass of the piano and then moves up into the more “normal” range, picking up energy as it goes and becoming more upbeat and lively before slowing and going very dark again. It’s kind of a musical roller coaster and very expressive! The album closes with “Speaker,” a piece that also covers a wide emotional range, but is mostly reflective and inward-looking.

Evolution - Solo Piano, Op. 11 is available to stream and download on Amazon as well as on many streaming platforms including Spotify and Pandora. Printed and digital songbooks are available from Tim’s website, as are individual pieces. Very highly recommended!