Album Notes

Acoustic solo piano, recorded in recital January 6, 1996 at the 1st Congregational Church of Berkeley-- all original compositions, vivid and thoughtful, romantic with impressionistic textures. Includes two tracks of synthesized orchestration (9 & 10). Acoustic piano track 8, Sequoia Cathedral, is from an earlier body of work (Sierra Passage, 1987) and is accompanied by a poem and drawing of the great tree by the composer. 53:40 total time.

Additional pieces from the 1996 performance evening can be heard on CD "Self-Portrait".

What listeners say about Dave's composition and performance:

For some reason, and I can't explain why, I was randomly searching iTunes. Then I found you. I decided to click on your name, and listen to "Expressions". I was suddenly intrigued with the beauty of it, and purchased your album a couple of weeks ago. I sit here now listening to it, like I do every night before I go to sleep, staring into space with some sort of wonderment. I love "Field Of Flowers", the true beauty of this piece, and others is quite astounding.
I hope you keep making music like this, it is dazzling.
-Tom B., Age 16, Sufflolk, England 

I think this CD is absolutely fabulous. What a talent!
-Susan H., pianist

As I was listening to your musical poetry I could feel myself drifting off to another place.....you certainly have a gift of awakening ones senses and transcending them to another place and time.....I love it and can't wait to hear more. Please let me know when you are playing next. I'm actually looking forward to my commute home tonight.....
-Karen L.

We put it on Sunday morning, and it was so pleasant to wake up to... gentle, cascading...
-Dick K.

Love your music - Oh it makes me so happy - so much life & passion - Thank you.
-Marina E.

It's quite good, very nice tone poems if I can say that, blending well varied techniques and color and figures ... I think you'd have enjoyed hanging around the piano with Debussy too! going over ideas.
-Rocky N., pianist

I have enjoyed listening to your pieces, and especially like your neo-impressionist leanings. There is a reassuring calmness about your music.
-Durwynne H., composer

And about Sierra Passage, of which track 8 is from:
This dramatic music evokes a lot of imagery in the listener. Some of the best original music I have heard in quite a while. I will be playing it often on the show. The composition and instrumentation are excellent and the mixing and production also are top quality. Great program guide, very impressive.
- Ben Kettlewell, WOMR radio producer


About the composer/pianist David Erskine:
Dave has been composing music for solo piano since the third grade, and is mostly self-taught. He has performed original music at many weddings, recitals and soirees. Themes of nature often inspire him, in both his music and his graphic art.

Dave is also a scientist (astronomer, physicist) and inventor (optics), being a union between his physicist father and artist mother. He comes from a very funloving and musical family. His brother Tim Erskine is also listed at CD Baby.