Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said that: “It is difficult to know at what moment love begins; it is less difficult to know that it has begun.” Christopher Boscole’s new album “Dawn of Love” seems to confirm this. You don’t know right away that a song is about love. After a while, though, a realization sets in; this is a love song. You know it in your heart. “Dawn of Love” contains an inspired mix of both classical and popular song, plus two original pieces, which all describes this moment of awareness; I’m in love! If there ever was a heartwarming collection of music, this is it.
“Dawn of Love” is pianist and composer Christopher Boscole 12th album. Christopher also explores creative relationships between nature, sailing adventures, photography, and music through multi-media concerts. He holds a Master of Music from University of Miami and Master in Teaching from City University. He has been a professional music educator and performing musician for over 20 years.
Dawn of Love
The album starts with the title track, which also happens to be one of the original pieces. Boscole captures every aspect of a newfound love; the overwhelming feeling of hope, expectation, and desire. I enjoy how the melody rises and takes form, illuminating that this is a new day, there’s not a cloud in the sky and the world is your oyster. There are both high and low notes, illustrating the complexity and frailness of a new relationship. What a fabulous album opener!
Talking about fabulous pieces; Next out is Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” the theme from symphony no. 9. Boscole plays this simple piece like a true virtuoso. Louis Lortie doesn’t do it much better. The same goes for “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” cantata no. 147 by Johan Sebastian Bach. Each note is charged with a deep sense of love – and not just romantic love, but love for creation and existence itself.
A Time for Us (from Romeo and Juliet)
The Romeo and Juliet soundtrack “A Time for Us” fits nicely after these two undying classics. Filling the void after Beethoven and Bach is always demanding. “A Time for Us” is not telling about a sugar-sweet kind of love. No, this is about finding the time to build a lasting relationship, which can be a challenge. Boscole’s playing is, as always, dynamical and passionate. I love the song’s thoughtful twist.
“Simply You” is Boscole’s second original piece on the album. Perhaps the most important thing of all in love is to accept the other person for who he or she really is. There’s a wonderful hint of melancholy in the beginning, like an acceptance that the person is not going to change. The following part of the song is much brighter, which represents the realization of how amazing “simply you” is. It is a fabulous piece that fits perfectly together with the classics.
Walking in the Air
Howard David Blake’s “Walking in the Air” (from “The Snowman”), Harry Dacre’s “Amazing Daisy” and Consolation no. 3 in D-flat major by Franz Liszt give time to reflect on how love affects our lives. The selection of songs is terrific. “Dawn of Love” is just as much for active listening as it belongs in the background, giving any gray afternoon a romantic glow.
Other well-selected pieces here are “You are Everything” by Thom Bell and Linda Creed, and “To a Wild Rose” by Edward MacDowell. Amorous and poetic, but never overly sweet, these songs instantly connect with our soul on a deep, meaningful level. I very much like the selection near the end as well, which offers different perspectives on love – before the magnificent “Time to Say Goodbye” (Con te Partiro), by Sartori and Quarantotto, concludes the album. Boscole’s playing is so passionate that I almost don’t miss the vocals of Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. That is a major accomplishment.
In conclusion: “Dawn of Love” by Christopher Boscole is a triumphant solo piano album. The selection of classics is a real “best of the best.” We all know these songs, yet it is never dull thanks to Boscole’s inspired playing. The two original songs, “Dawn of Love” and “Simply You,” are terrific and bind the album together.
New love is an inspired feeling. It makes you more creative, more willing to be vulnerable, more alive. “Dawn of Love” is a perfect soundtrack to any occasion when these qualities are needed.
Score: 94/100 – See the New Age Music Guide scoring policy
For more information and music samples, visit christopherboscole.com