MICHAEL ALLEN HARRISON: Composer/Pianist

Michael Allen Harrison

Composer/Pianist

© 2002 MAH Records - Eagle Putt Publishing ASCAP (737885340623)

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Double CD Set includes passionate arrangements for piano; smooth jazz, fusion, new age, and adult contemporary.

tracks

1 Will You Take Me There
2 I Breathe
3 Remembrance
4 Journey Home
5 Eclipse
6 Best of Every Moment
7 Thanksgiving
8 February's Child
9 Tahlia's Lullaby
10 Transitions
11 Fly Away
12 Dance on The Roof
13 Tomorrow's
14 3rd Avenue
15 Starry Night
16 Moments in Passion
17 Circle of Influence
18 Standing Alone
19 Passion and Grace
20 Nocturne in D flat major
21 Masada
22 Little Bit Naughty
23 On the Run
24 Motherhood
25 Ema Sh'li
26 Renewal
27 Be Real

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notes

At once intensely personal and universal, the music of Michael Allen Harrison finds a place in our deepest emotions.

He reflects somber moments with the gentle touch in his heartfelt piano melodies. His fiery concerto movements match charged moments with magnificent bravado. His strikingly diverse musical styles meet us at high and low touch points that extend far beyond the seven octaves on his grand piano.

Recognized as Steinway Signature Artist, Michael has built a reputation as a prolific and stylistically multifaceted pianist, playing classical, new age/world, and contemporary jazz. In a career that has spanned over two decades, he has expanded his talents as a producer, composer, and arranger.

Michael released his inaugural album in 1986. Since then, he has released more than 40 albums showcasing his vast variety of performing and composing styles. He launched his own record company, MAH Records, in 1984; it is now a well-known label for other popular Northwest artists. To date, Michael has produced music for more than 200 musicians.

His songs have touched the sky and circled the earth, as they have been played on the space shuttles Endeavor and Discovery. He and his beloved Steinway have performed for President Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Quincy Jones, Walter Cronkite, Margaret Thatcher, Colin Powell and the Dalai Lama. Michael has also performed at the United Nations in New York City premiering his tribute song, Remembrance, for the 50th anniversary of Israel's independence in 1998. He also played at the World Peace Conference at The Hague, in the Netherlands in 1999.

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  • WOW!
    author: Kathy Parsons

    My one-word summary of Michael Allen Harrison’s double CD set, “Pianist/Composer,” is “WOW!” I have seen and heard Harrison’s name for a long time, but none of his CDs came my way for review until I reviewed one of his students’ CDs (the very impressive Alexx Carnathan) earlier this year. I was not prepared to be so dazzled and charmed at the same time. This set is made up of Harrison’s favorite compositions from the past twenty years or so, and includes his new “Concerto #1 in Eb Major,” which is a tour de force all by itself. Both discs are very eclectic in their musical range, but Disc 1 is more classical overall, and Disc 2 has a jazzier flavor. The majority of the pieces are orchestrated or have accompanying instruments in addition to the piano, but Harrison’s piano is the star of the show. We’re only halfway through the year, but I’m certain that this will be on my list of favorites for 2004. The three-movement concerto opens the first CD. The first movement (“I Breathe”) started out as a love ballad in Harrison’s musical, and evolved into a gorgeous 12 1/2 minute piece influenced by some of the Romantic composers. The first half of the piece is gentle and sweet, but begins building in the middle to a fiery climax. Primarily piano and strings, this piece really sets the stage for what’s to come. It highlights Harrison’s gentle touch as well as his magnificent bravado and virtuosity. The second movement (“Will You Take Me There”) is a bit more orchestrated, and the lovely melody is haunting and passionate. The third movement is full of flash and dynamic pianistics. A piano solo, Harrison must be sitting in a puddle by the time he gets done playing it live! Great stuff! “Remembrance” is a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Israel’s independence and to the lives lost during the Holocaust. Performed with Aaron Meyer on violin and The Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, the piece has a deeply emotional and tragic feeling, but also suggests triumph and moving forward. I love “Transitions,” a piece inspired by a wild rainstorm. Full of passion, power, and a subtle touch of mystery, the playing on this piece can take your breath away - effortless control and amazing chops. Stunning! “Fly Away” is another favorite. It started as a cool groove for a vocal tune, and is a piece Harrison and his band play differently every time. This version is piano, light percussion, and a wonderful oboe part performed by Fred Korman of the Oregon Symphony. A great CD, but, wait -there’s more! As I mentioned, the second CD is a bit jazzier overall, but there are several different styles present. “Tomorrow’s” was composed as a gift for Harrison’s daughter on her graduation from junior high. Lightly orchestrated and featuring oboe, guitar, and piano, this piece is sunny and radiant. “Moments in Passion” is a dark, sultry piece with piano, guitar, and percussion that would be a wonderful slow dance - a favorite. “Standing Alone” is a slow bluesy piece that could have stepped out of the 1930’s - I really like this one, too! “Nocturne in Db Major” is a gorgeous improvisation that was recorded as it was being created late at night in the studio while imagining the time of the great Romantic composers. “Little Bit Naughty” is a great blues piano solo - slinky and fun! “Ema Sh’li (Mother of Mine)” is a haunting ballad composed for Harrison’s mother’s 50th birthday. A warm, bittersweet, and very loving piano solo, it is both classical and contemporary, and thanks “Mom” for making him practice the piano when he was a kid. “Composer/Pianist” is truly an outstanding collection on so many levels. I get to feeling kind of jaded from listening to so much piano music, but this set really blows me out of my seat! I give it my highest recommendation.

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