he encompasses an incredibly broad spectrum of sounds and styles. Yet there is n
author: Harry Woodward, Santa Cruz Phoenix,
Music flows from Victor in a many-colored stream. Ranging from solo piano concerts to acoustic jazz and electric rock groups to string quartets and scores for modern dance, he encompasses an incredibly broad spectrum of sounds and styles. Yet there is no sense of straining for effect. Everything he does, in whatever medium, seems to have a natural flow and organic unity, leavened with a delightful sense of humor. Spiegel is not trying to be a modern Renaissance man. He just is one.
Much of his music seems to be an ever-evolving synthesis of jazz and Western classical with Persian and Indian music. This makes for a rich mixture difficult to classify.
Another characteristic of Victor’s music is its lyrical quality. Whatever style emerges, there is a strong lyrical "lift" to it. The composer seems like a man with wisdom in his eye but spring in his heart.
Spiegel is a true musical zany, constantly fusing humor and beauty to make a new kind of crazy sense. In his solo piano concerts, a passage of gorgeous romanticism may be followed by eerie sound effects created by placing glass ashtrays inside the piano (they emanate strange harmonics when struck by the vibrating piano-wires). Victor does not believe in deliberate obscurity, however. He doesn’t like to lose people but believes, "the musician acts an interpreter or guide."
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Spiegel’s versatile talent is firmly based on years of study and practice, and t
author: Mary Fitzpatrick, Santa Cruz Good Times
It is impressive to watch and hear Spiegel play seven instruments in one concert, and make dramatic yet smooth transitions between them. And it is no less interesting to be entertained by him on a simple bamboo flute, or on a single piano, on which he can sound like Keith Jarrett, Vince Guaraldi, or even Randy Newman.
Spiegel’s versatile talent is firmly based on years of study and practice, and takes flight from his own excellent compositions, which range from string quartets, to fully orchestrated symphonies, to short songs with funny lyrics. Rather than play one song after another, Spiegel conceives of his performances as song cycles. Not only does each movement within an individual concert contribute to a unifying theme, but each of his recent Santa Cruz performances have been like a map to the next concert.
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A place to rest your head and mind in this warm CD that brings integrity and sub
author: Tamara D. Turner
At last, a new age musician who recognizes the basic need for structure in music. With his warm and heartfelt jazz style, you'll find a place to rest your heart and mind in these songs. Unlike so many new age piano CD's that set you adrift on a harmonic river and never come back for you, he will take you on a relaxing, mesmerizing, yet musically intelligent journey of peace, respite, and focus. With a real ear for ballads and memorable melodies full of heart and substance, he knows that when we want to kick back and relax with soothing music and a glass of red, we also want to feel all of life present at that moment, the emotion and beauty of life that only music and capture and reflect.
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