This is a beautiful rendition of George Winston’s “January Stars.” Love this tune. It captures the feel of January. If do not have Winston’s album “Winter Into Spring“, you need to check it out here.
Here’s a Wiki passage:
Winston dresses unassumingly for his shows, playing in stocking feet, stating that it quiets his “hard beat pounding” left foot. For years, the balding, bearded Winston would walk out on stage in a flannel shirt and jeans, and the audience would think he was a technician, coming to tune the 9-foot Steinways that are his piano of choice. As The Boston Globe reported in 1986, “Much of his playing is introspective, mood-setting and, frequently, tranquilizing. Casting my gaze about the auditorium, I observed members of the audience with their attention fixed upon the pianist and others absorbing the music with eyes closed. Winston is not a self-indulgent performer who protracts his renditions to the point where he dangerously tiptoes between a yawn and a snore. Instead, he keeps his presentations pithy and free of excess and his audience awake.”
Have always loved George Winston’s music. The first few notes remind me of the beginning of a snow fall, those first few flakes dancing in the air. As the chords enter, the snow begins to fall in earnest, tho’ arguably a soft snow..Wonderful.
Exactly. Me too Mimi. What incredible talent to capture the moods of the seasons using ivory keys. And like you, the first few notes whisk us away…
Also a fan. I was mesmerized by his hands, floating, pouncing. Sometimes the notes seemed to come from the air. Lovely.
Yes, so true Sandy
he is one of my all-time favorite musicians. one of those, whose music i heard and loved immediately and the love has never waned.
i went to see him play once. he walked out on stage, in a huge, formal venue, with no shoes, only black socks on his feet. he politely bowed his head to the audience, never said a word, just began to play, and transported us to a level of unbelievable beauty. at the end, he stood, modestly bowed his head once again and walked off the stage, still without uttering a word. i saw him to be a humble and shy genius with an incredible gift.
Wow. What an experience Beth. I read about “no shoes” on Wiki and didn’t believe it. I’ve added the passage up on the post. Amazing.
that is exactly as it was. a perfect description. some of the audience was openly crying by the end, including myself.
Incredible.
and one last observation of that evening, this has triggered such an intense memory for me. in the end, it was as if we had been witness to such an experience of beauty, that our bodies and hearts couldn’t possibly hold it all in. people smiled, cried, clapped, stared, laughed, cheered, and stood absolutely still, stunned. our emotions simply could not be restrained.
And again, amazing.
I have been a fan of his for decades…
Me too, and love Beth’s description of his concert above.
love it.
Have to check out his album(s) if you haven’t already…
So beautiful. Perfect, as I sit here looking at the piles of snow everywhere. Just lovely. Thank you.
It is, thank you.
I’ve always loved George Winston’s music. Still do.
Me too Anneli. Me too.
Big George Winston fan. He ‘played me through’ preparation for my general exams in grad school. I’d plug into one of his CDs and just tune out the rest of the world. I love the whole ‘Windham Hill’ line….
And I agree with Mimi–I could picture the cadence of the snow fall as he played. Makes ya remember what’s so magical about winter….. 🙂
Me too Lori. He plays, I’m off drifting away.