Tobin Mueller’s piano playing often evokes wakeful contemplation. His music is both intellectual and emotional, innovative yet accessible. This original composition, written as an homage to the writings of Kurt Vonnegut, is a perfect example of what I mean. He is able to create extremely personal art while somehow making it feel universal. Perhaps because of the honesty that radiates from his playing.
“In The Amber of the Moment” is the first track from his 2-CD solo piano/spoken word album “Afterwords” (2017). It accurately captures the restless energy of Vonnegut’s thoughtful satire. Melodies try to escape the continuum, yet the boundary of the “amber moment” remains unbroken. The video is illustrated with fabulous fan art inspired by Slaughterhouse-Five. Fans of the novel will especially enjoy them. Here is the quotation Mueller recites to begin the piece:
“That is a very Earthling question to ask, Mr. Pilgrim. Why you? Why us for that matter? Why anything? Because this moment simply is. Have you ever seen bugs trapped in amber?” Billy, in fact, had a paperweight in his office which was a blob of polished amber with three ladybugs embedded in it. “Well, here we are, Mr. Pilgrim, trapped in the amber of this moment.” ― Kurt Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five
See www.tobinmueller.com/afterwords/ for more of these magical compositions. Mueller “illustrates” 17 stories with his diverse and virtuoso piano playing. Mueller has just released his 29th album, “Standard Deviations”.
“Afterwords is an astonishing and singular work of art.”
― Kathy Parson, MainlyPiano
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