It’s a daunting task to adequately introduce an artist with Gunnar Madsen’s experience and diverse background in a few short sentences. He is an award-winning composer, singer (The Bobs a capella group), pianist, writer, sound designer, filmmaker, and actor. He has composed and written music and books for all age groups, acted in stage plays and musicals as well as films; he has received commissions from Lincoln Center, the Los Angeles Theater Center, the Minnesota Opera, Oberlin Dance Collective, and on and on. Two Hands is Madsen’s eighteenth album to date, and is comprised of fifteen original solo piano compositions and three pieces for piano and violin. (Violinist Irene Sazer of The Turtle Island String Quartet appears as a guest artist.) While the album is very cohesive as an entity, there is variety in the music that reflects Madsen’s wide range of life and artistic experience. Deeply personal and often cinematic, the music conveys an abundance of emotions without becoming overly complicated or flamboyant. This is the music of a very accomplished artist speaking from his heart via the piano. Recorded on the much-loved piano at Skywalker Sound, the audio quality is stellar. Two Hands is certainly in the running to be one of my favorite albums of 2010.

Two Hands begins with “Break Into Blossom,” a soft-spoken piece that suggests hope and optimism. “In These Lonely Regions” was inspired by a line from a poem by Neruda as well as the passing of a favorite uncle. Very spare and open, strong emotions are expressed with a minimum of notes. “Kerenyi” was adapted from a play Madsen wrote in 1981. Dark and mysterious as a piano solo, the violin enters about 1/3 of the way into the piece and casts an even more haunting spell. “Nino and Me” is a lovely romantic waltz with a tender and graceful melody - very visual. “The Blackbird Whistling” is one of my favorites. Inspired by Wallace Stevens’ poem, “13 Ways of Looking At a Blackbird,” it more than hints of Erik Satie. The title could also be a nod to Satie’s odd titles and playing instructions. Most of the piece is very slow, spare, and flowing, trailing off at the end - exceptional! “Bandon” refers to a town on the Oregon Coast where Madsen’s great aunt and uncle had a cranberry farm that he visited one summer as a young boy. It’s the music of memories - simple and uncluttered. “For Wendy” was Madsen’s first composition, written for a girlfriend years ago. The heartfelt emotions convey the unbridled passions of youth. “Down Moon” gets me every time I hear it and is my favorite piece on this excellent album. Very dark and melancholy with occasional flickers of hope, it really makes my fingers itch (sheet music???)! I also really love “Oak Sky.” Simple yet incredibly moody, it says so much with so little. “Red Bird” ends the album with a gorgeous piano/violin duet that is perhaps the most cinematic piece of the album. Dark and expressive, it’s an evocative musical dialog between two artists.

Two Hands is an incredible musical experience that I very highly recommend. It is available from www.gunnarmadsen.com, Amazon, CD Baby, and iTunes.thtextshortboltit Check it out! - Kathy Parsons

Wildy's World

The first time I heard Gunnar Madsen's group The Bobs was on an episode of the Dr. Demento Show in the late 1980's. The song "Cowboy Lips" inspired me to go out and buy several Bobs albums and turned me on to acapella music. After ten years of The Bobs, Madsen has been involved in everything under the sun. He's written music for movies (Just A Kiss, The Break Up), television (Sex And The City, HBO's Asteroids), done voice work (HBO's The Rat Pack as Sammy Davis Jr.), released critically acclaimed albums for adults and children and even been nominated for a GRAMMY Award. Madsen's musical theater work (The Shaggs, co-written with Joy Gregory) has won awards for Best Original Score, Best World Premier Musical and Musical Of The Year from various groups. Every on the move, Madsen returns in 2010 with an album of solo-piano compositions (occasionally aided by Turtle Island String Quartet's Irene Sazer on violin) entitled Two Hands. Recorded at world-renowned Skywalker Sound, Madsen delivers a collection of sixteen songs worthy of its own award consideration.

Two Hands opens with "Break Into Blossom", a pretty, peaceful composition with its own internal vibrancy. The song builds slowly in strength and confidence like the budding of a flower, highlighting a pretty melody against the gentle but unyielding pressure of burgeoning life. "Kerenyi" has an opening line that sounds like a variation on Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue"; the comparison ends there however, as Madsen takes us on dark and moody journey with hints of Celtic music in its heritage. One of the more compelling pieces on the album is "Nino And Me", a depressed and disconnected waltz that deconstructs a noble beauty against the background of deep sadness. You'll have this particular composition on repeat.

"Ordinary Day" shows off Madsen's ability to hide simple beauty write in front of your eyes (or ears). The song has an incidental feel, but the pure sweetness of the theme buried in the mellow musical shell will call to you. "The Blackbird Whistling" feels exploratory, with a theme that comes alternatively in straight lines and scattered bursts. It's a wonderful juxtaposition of the steady feel of nature and the vibrant intercessions of life. "Frank Grows Flowers" is built around a similar concept, displaying the vibrancy of simple, every day actions while setting a pace that's simultaneously with purpose and at ease. There is a joyful feel to this song that cannot be denied. Madsen gets more pensive with "Down Moon", building to dark, muddy resolutions that push to break through but never quite manage, falling back into themselves to try again. The song comes to rest in a state of sadness, but there is a beauty in this struggle that shines through almost as a post-harmonic theme. "3 South Trail" finds Madsen treading a lazy/dreamy path with elements of melancholy woven in. It's a pretty set-up for the closing track, "Red Bird". "Red Bird" is jarring and beautiful, sounding at times like two separate and distinct thoughts occurring between piano and violin. This conversation occasionally aligns into brief moments of clarity where the two are so in-synch that you'll wonder how you ever thought otherwise.

Gunnar Madsen is one of those artists who seem likely to explode if he stops creating. Madsen's muse runs in some many directions it's dizzying, but nearly everything he touches turns to gold. That trend continues with Two Hands, by far the best instrumental piano album to cross this desk this year. Madsen's compositions come to vivid life on Two Hands, avoiding classifications such as classical, pop or new age by transcending them all. Two Hands is not an album you pick up for light dinner music; it's an album you buy to listen to. If you do, the music is its own reward. - Wildy Haskell

Two Hands is a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc.
Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

Raj Manoharan

Gunnar Madsen Does It All with Two Hands

Gunnar Madsen is quite the performing arts renaissance man, if ever there was one. Actor, singer, filmmaker, children’s songwriter, Grammy-nominated musician, author, playwright, and soundtrack composer, to name just a few.

At the moment, he returns to one of his first and most basic muses – the piano. And it is on this recording that we hear Madsen at his most pure – just him, the keyboard, and his Two Hands.

The selections on this CD comprise a range of musical thoughts and emotions that stem from the deep recesses of Madsen’s psyche – everything from penetrating illness and personal loss to fond childhood memories and beloved artistic influences.

Musically, the album represents a variety of styles, including jazz, new age, classical, and easy listening. And yet the CD is unified in its overall sense of quietude and tranquility. As a result, the album satisfies on several levels – as an artistically fulfilling collection of beautiful arrangements and melodies, as a fitting soundtrack for perfect relaxation and reflection, and as sonic therapy for personal healing.

Two Hands is a very personal album for Gunnar Madsen, and it is a very personal album for the listener as well. This is perhaps the CD’s greatest strength and value – the personal connection between the artist and the audience.



Reviews New Age

Two Hands es el décimo tercer trabajo del premiado y reconocido pianista, compositor, actor, cineasta y escritor, Gunnar Madsen. Este ha recibido encargos desde las más grandes sedes, ha dirigido teatro y cine y su música puede ser escuchada en los capítulos de la serie "Sexo en Nueva York" o en los documentales de National Geographic. Two Hands se compone de dieciséis solos de piano, acompañados en alguno de ellos por la violinista Irene Sazer, estos están compuestos tras una larga convalecencia a causa de una neumonía; obras que mantienen un estado sereno, sin sobresaltos, evitando por completo los tempos excesivamente rápidos y manteniendo al oyente en una continua atención debido a la impresionante calidad de las composiciones.

El comienzo no puede ser mejor, "Break into Blossom" abre el CD. Sin ser rápida, esta pieza guarda un sentimiento de coraje extraordinario, apasionado. De un gran poder alentador, este tema es la puerta al optimismo y las buenas vibraciones. Me gusta!.

"In These Lonely Regions" es un corto inspirado en unas líneas de un poema del chileno y Premio Nobel, Pablo Neruda y en el fallecimiento de un familiar del artista. Una pieza triste y herida con una melodía desconcertante cuya emoción se ve acentuada en ocasiones, por la fuerza y energía que Gunnar transmite al piano.

Una de mis preferidas es "Kerenyi", Un tema escrito para una obra de teatro en el año 81. Con la colaboración de la violinista Irene Sazer, este tema posee una composición extraordinaria, pegadiza y sobretodo, hermosa; recordando a algunos pasajes de Mertens o Dorantes. La pieza pasa de ser delicada y expresiva, a poderosa y apasionada. Me encanta!.

"Half Empty". En pocas ocasiones, la simplicidad ha llegado a ser tan bella. Una melodía que parece ser improvisada nace de notas altas y de golpes sutiles de acordes. Una pieza que muestra una profunda emoción.

Con un comienzo risueño y cariñoso "Nimo and Me" va tornándose en un oscuro vals. Apto como banda sonora de una película de época, esta pieza posee una nostálgica y suave melodía.

En "Ordinary Day" vuelve a aparecer el violín de Irene Sazer. De nuevo, el piano y el violín crean una unión perfecta, dando vida a otra de las melodías destacables en este CD. Co-escrita con Joy Gregory, esta pieza, es sin duda, un placer para los oídos, perfecta para lograr una buena relajación. Otras de mis preferidas!.

Inspirado en el poema "13 formas de ver a un mirlo" de Wallace Stevens, "The Blackbird Whistling" es una obra descriptiva para esas trece composiciones que componen el poema, donde simples golpes de acordes, acompañan a la melodía principal que reproduce la mano derecha.

Dedicado a unas de sus principales influencias musicales, el guitarrista y director de cine Frank Zappa, es "Frank Grows Flowers". Como una manera de volver a dibujar ese juego melódico que Frank conseguía con su guitarra, Gunnar hace lo propio pero al frente del piano, creando una pieza ligeramente más rápida que las demás y con un carácter optimista y despreocupado.

El lado melancólico de este álbum lo pone "Bandon", una mirada al pasado. Bandon es una ciudad situada en el estado de Oregon, a la que Gunnar solía ir para ver a sus tíos y jugar de pequeño. Con una sencillez extraordinaria, la pieza apela a la tranquilidad, dibujando el escenario perfecto para rememorar con cariño esos entrañables momentos. Qué delicadeza!.

"For Wendy" es la pieza romántica del CD. Fue la primera obra escrita por el pianista. Dedicada a su novia, esta pieza es delicada, tierna, con una desbordante emoción y cariño que encoge el alma. Me encanta!.

"Imagine it Falling" nació de una improvisación jazz a la que Gunnar intentaba dar vida. La melodía que surgió fue de tal belleza, que este dejó a un lado su objetivo y perfeccionó esta delicada pieza. De carácter apasionada, la suave melodía fluye lenta, dejando instantes de silencios tan importantes como las propias notas, resaltando las emociones que esta puede transmitir.

Una de las obras maestras de este álbum es, "Down Moon". Con un comienzo sombrío, el tema va tornándose enérgico, poderoso. Gunnar va marcando con entusiasmo los acordes hasta llegar a un cenit emocionante y sorprendente, lleno de coraje que va perdiendo fuerza para volver al desconcierto del principio. Es asombrosa!. Wow!.

Un bello contraste con respecto a la pieza anterior. "Ockeghem's Turn" es delicada y alegre, con un un toque ligeramente rápido y de carácter infantil, la mano derecha reproduce una repetitiva melodía en la zona alta del piano, mientras la izquierda acompaña con suaves acordes, que en ocasiones se muestran fuertes.

En "Oak Sky", con sólo dos acordes, Gunnar colma de sentimientos a este tema. La delicadeza en el toque es extraordinaria, la pasión sobrecogedora y las sensaciones de bienestar y libertad son perfectas, todo ello, encerrado en una simple melodía de curso lento. Increíble!.

"3 South Trail" posee una melodía libre, parece ser improvisada, con silencios. Dedicada a su profesor John y a su pareja Kate, esta pieza es desconcertante, pues a menudo, las notas aparecen de forma libre, sin seguir un determinado patrón.

El CD concluye con "Red Bird", la última aparición Irene Sazer, que dibuja una frenética melodía al violín, mientras Gunnar acompaña con un fondo entrecortado de piano. De nuevo, el tándem formado entre el piano y el violín dan vida a un pieza expresiva y emocionante!.

Two Hands es asombroso en todos los sentidos. Las ricas y pegadizas composiciones de Gunnar Madsen sonarán una y otra vez en la mente del oyente una vez finalizada su escucha. Destacando aquellas obras en las que el violín de Irene resalta, aún más, toda la belleza de la pieza, este trabajo es sublime, fascinante y perfecto para estar en contacto con la música en su estado más puro. Muy recomendable. Alejandro Clavijo González Puntuación: 5/5

Serge Kozlovsky.com

These instrumental melodies touch the heart with their incredible sincerity. The album “Two Hands” by Gunnar Madsen is only his acoustic piano with a delicate violin accompaniment by Irene Sazer on several tracks. But you don’t need anything else when you listen to this music which has a purity and a clearness in its expression.

Gunnar Madsen is a bright composer and performer. Sometimes his music reminds me of the great French impressionists like Satie or Debussy, sometimes Gunnar Madsen’s piano is a bit similar to a meditation stream by George Winston, sometimes his instrument sounds even in an avant-garde style but always Gunnar Madsen’s music is very fresh and unique.

In general a strong individuality is felt in every note of the album “Two Hands”. And yet Gunnar Madsen's music is exquisite and deeply emotional. At the same time “Two Hands” is listened to easily for perception. Melodies of Gunnar Madsen are picturesque. They invite you in to an attractive colored world which is created by a great piano master.

One wants to stand this album in a row with the best samples of the famous Windham Hill Records. Serge Kozlovsky