Joe Bongiorno - Synfonia (2015)

"Synfonia" is a collection of ten of pianist/composer Joe Bongiorno’s piano solos fully orchestrated by fellow pianist/composer Doug Hammer. Bongiorno dedicated this album to his father, and his music takes on a completely new dimension with symphonic instrumentation. Hammer has done a masterful job of enhancing Bongiorno’s music without overpowering the beautiful piano sound Bongiorno is so well-known for. The collection includes one new piece called “Love’s Light,” a tender love song that will elicit many deep sighs; the other nine are new versions of pieces previously released as piano solos. Even with full orchestration, the music is sweet, mellow, and very soothing. It is a delight to listen to it with full concentration or as lovely background music while doing something else. I loved listening to it in the car and was amazed at how quickly I reached my destination! Longtime fans of Joe Bongiorno’s music will find much to enjoy in this album, hearing fresh interpretations of some old favorites chosen from five of Joe’s albums; new fans are in for a real treat! All ten pieces are excellent, but my own favorites are “Melancholy Morning,” “Love’s Light,” “Walk With Me,” “A Candlelight Waltz,” and “Once a Child.” Very highly recommended!

Tracklist:

01. Face to Face (Orchestrated) [feat- Doug Hammer]
02. Melancholy Morning (Orchestrated) [feat- Doug Hammer]
03. Love's Light (Orchestrated) [feat- Doug Hammer]
04. With You, in Spirit (Orchestrated) [feat- Doug Hammer]
05. Walk with Me (Orchestrated) [feat- Doug Hammer]
06. Feeling the Distance (Orchestrated) [feat- Doug Hammer]
07. A Candlelight Waltz (Orchestrated) [feat- Doug Hammer]
08. Once a Child (Orchestrated) [feat- Doug Hammer]
09. Your Healing Touch (Orchestrated) [feat- Doug Hammer]
10. Never Forgotten (Orchestrated) [feat- Doug Hammer]