Listen Free

Another Saturday at the studio...Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to have a normal job, just go to work for 8 hours, then have a LIFE!

The release date of the new CD is September 28th. You can listen to 4 COMPLETE SONGS on the home page of the michaeldulin.com website. Be sure to listen to Sicilian Song - it is a wonderful melody, and I am really happy with the way it turned out. Kathy Parsons of mainlypiano.com, one of the most respected critics of new music, is reviewing the songs as I finish them. Her review of Sicilian Song is printed below.

Sicilian Song

Michael Dulin

Timeless II 2010/Equity Digital

5:01

Sicilian Song is an adaptation of Siciliano from JS Bach's Flute Sonata #2 and is one of the highlights of Michael Dulin's Timeless II. Although Dulin's arrangement is very true to the piece's classical roots, the addition of strings and other orchestration to Dulin's piano gives the piece a more contemporary sound and feeling. Played slowly and soulfully, this piece is absolutely gorgeous!

The pieces starts out fairly simply with the piano carrying the melody with strings in the background, setting the tone of the piece. In the second variation, the orchestra carries the melody as Dulin improvises with light, sweet, nimble passages. The third variation is the most dramatic with full orchestra, tympani, and Dulin's marvelous piano. The fourth variation returns to a quiet mood and brings Sicilian Song to a gentle close. Bravo!

Timeless Tutu

Okay, Timeless II, song 2

While we're waiting for the Timeless II cover, and for reviews from ZoneReporter's RJ Lannan, take a look at the review by Kathy Parsons of song #2, Alone, which is based on Chopin's E minor prelude.

Click the link to hear a 30-second preview of Alone.

ALONE

From Timeless II

Michael Dulin

2010/Equity Digital

Michael Dulin continues his quest to breathe new life into classical pieces, giving them a more contemporary styling while staying true to the original intent of the composers. Alone is nothing short of stunning. Based on Chopin's "Prelude in E minor, Opus 28, " Dulin begins the piece with an introduction (a prelude to the "Prelude"! ) that rapidly accelerates up the piano keyboard and then slowly comes back down in a mysterious mood that hints of a crisis or emotional tragedy. He then plays the prelude through as written before repeating it with strings playing the right hand melody as Dulin plays the left, adding his own amazing touches with his right. The result takes the music to an even darker place than Chopin did with his original. Chopin's Preludes are among my favorite pieces to play, and I really didn't think there was any way to improve on this one. Dulin has proven me wrong. A pianist with an incredible background that includes competing internationally in the classical music field, Dulin's interpretation of this gem is right on the money. I'm sure Chopin is looking down from the heavens with a tear in his eye and a smile of approval.

Kathy Parsons

MainlyPiano.com

6/5/10

Partita Hardita

If you enjoy Timeless, you are going to love Timeless II. We're doing something a bit different with the new album; we are going to release the songs one by one on iTunes before the complete CD is released. Album design is once more in the gifted hands of Matt Strieby of New Leaf Design, and as soon as the cover is ready, the songs will begin appearing on iTunes.

Click the link to hear a 30 second preview of the first song, Partita.

In preparation for the iTunes release, Partita has been reviewed by noted critic Kathy Parsons. Please read the full review below.

Partita by J.S.Bach

Michael Dulin

from Timeless II

4'46"

Partita by J.S. Bach is the first piece to be released from Timeless II, Michael Dulin's anxiously awaited follow-up to Timeless, his best-selling and award-winning 2005 collection of classical music. Subtitled "Classics for a New Age," some of those pieces were performed exactly as written for solo piano and some were arranged with various intruments for a more contemporary sound. Timeless II will have a similar format, and if the rest of the album is as exciting as Partita, we are in for another real treat!

Partita is based on the first movement (Praeludium) of Bach's B-flat Partita (BWV 825). Bach's six Partitas are considered to be among his most challenging keyboard works to play, but Dulin handles this one with ease. The first half of the track is Dulin's performance of the piece as written, with note-for-note perfection; strings were added in the background for color and a silky contrast to the more percussive piano. From there, Dulin seamlessly incorporates his own variations on the theme which sound even more challenging to play. His flawless trills on either hand are breathtakingly (try doing this at home, kids!) as is his effortless technique.

It is with good reason that Michael Dulin is known as a pianist's pianist. There seems to be no limit to what he can do at the piano, and yet he makes it look and sound easy. If you are a fan of Timeless, you will be thrilled with Timeless II. Classical music lovers, even purists, will find this music to be a joy. If you'd just like to listen to something top-notch and a little different, this if for you, too. Literally something for everyone! Highly recommended!

Kathy Parsons

MainlyPiano.com

5/28/10