Search - Tom Barabas :: Romantic Rhapsodies

Magically romantic - no fluff here...

Michael J Harrington | Phoenix, Arizona USA | 04/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have many of Tom's CD's, and finally got around to getting this one - and I waited tooo long! Unlike many of today's 'romantic' pianists around (who do write and play well), Tom Barabas - classically trained with one very creative and passionate mind - is in a league of his own. For those fans of 'Sedona Suite' - you will not be disappointed. He has taken the 'ethereal new age' tone of SS, refined and reshaped it, and wrapped his loving soul into every piece on this beautiful CD. There is a new side of TB that you will hear on this CD, and tracks like 'Moonlight', 'Adagio', 'Epiphany' and 'Dolphin Dream' weave a soothing, at times rhapsodic sound - yet still remain focused on the intent of the pieces - to make you, the listener, feel a sense of joy and uplifting of the spirit.Tom added some very tasteful - and not overdone - arrangements on many of the tracks. The injection of flute, guitar and synth accent many of the pieces very well. The only negative point is that the second piece ("Shades of Love") didn't seem to fit - a bossa-nova inflected piece that sounded too much like cheap night club music, amidst 9 other *magnificent* piano tracks that take you on one of Tom's best journeys. Not a point that should stop you from adding this CD to your collection today!Overall, I am in full agreement with the artist himself - it is truly one of his best CD's. I think he opened a door here for 'new age haters' that would have shyed away from his 'Sedona' inspired works, and created a CD of music that anyone would enjoy (without selling out!)."

Rhapsodic piano music!

Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 01/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first two tracks of Romantic Rhapsodies gave me the impression that this was going to be a very pleasant smooth jazz album, but it is so much more than that! I have to admit that this is my first Tom Barabas recording, so I apologize to his long-time fans (Barabas has recorded twelve albums to date). However, I will be digging into his other CDs for more! Steeped in classical traditions as well as jazz influences, Barabas has a varied approach to his music, keeping it consistently elegant and sophisticated. Barabas' years at the Liszt Conservatory in Hungary as a child really show! This kind of understanding of the piano and it's capabilities can only come from one who has devoted his or her life to music and the instrument to the point that he or she has become one with it.The first four tracks are beautiful, and I was thoroughly enjoying my initial ride through the album, but the fifth track, Baroque composer Tomas Albioni's "Adagio" really grabbed me. A familiar piece occasionally used in soundtracks, Barabas' treatment simply shimmers! It is primarily a piano piece with background choral and instrumental accompaniment - what a incredible beauty! "Epiphany" is another favorite. It opens with an energetic piano solo as the sax begins to weave its way into the melody. Dark and haunting, I find this piece has an almost ominous quality that I really like - the percussion certainly adds to the drama - and then the dark clouds open to welcome a burst of musical sunshine. This is also a very remarkable piece! "Solar Wind" is piano with synth strings - again, a haunting and incredibly beautiful piece. The last two tracks return to a more upbeat, jazzy feel - especially "Dance Me to Heaven", a light and breezy love song. This is a very strong album from start to finish, but the middle four tracks are incredible! I'm hooked, and look forward to discovering Tom Barabas' other works!"

Tom Barabas "Romantic Rhapsodies"

Thea D. Marlborough | Van Nuys, CA United States | 07/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This smooth, wonderfully interpreted CD turned into my fave CD for relaxing, doing artwork, computer tutorials & gardening. Also, so inspired by him that I bought his sheet music & now play some of his work on piano. This is my 2nd purchase as someone misplaced the first one. A must have for right-brainers."