Johannes Hirschmann released FRAGMENTS this past April, and while listening this wonderful album, it is truly calming, serene, and tranquil. It will transport you to another time providing an escape into its melodic tones. Mediative and relaxing to de stress yourself in thoughts away from your daily chores or responsibilities.

WAITING FOR THE PRESENT is beautifully written as a story. This story would mean differently for each listener of course, yet it writes as if I’m meeting an old friend. About 0:54 into the pieces questions of “How will I handle the news? or Why did they tell me?” There are moments of contemplation that soon follows and tempo change. It’s like it’s almost a different song, and it’s nicely placed as our present is ever changing.

EVERYBODY WANTS THE CAVE is like a narrative of the past very loving and light with soft pleasant notes blending and complimenting. This would be favorite piece of the album as it is short, sweet with a subtle smooth ending.

OXYTOCINE is a nice intro into this piece after the last with more tempo changes. It’s continuation of the last into a nice dreamstate and fantastical, whimsical feeling. At 1:41 it reminds me of Beethoven’s 5th you know the one where everyone was falling asleep and he starts off with “da da da daaa!” it was basically asking everyone “ARE YOU STILL LISTENING?” which caught me by surprise at this point in the piece. It doesn’t last long. Hirschmann drifts back to the smoother tones which to me asks suggests, “Remember when…long ago.”  At around 3:33 the cheerful and uplifting chords ends completing the piece altogether.

TALK  single was released this past March. It is a wonderful, nice clean piece and spring inspired. This would be the piece I listen to a few times after sitting on my porch, listening to the birds, hearing the trees rustle with the wind. The outro matches the intro at 2:20 repeating the the first few measures before tapering off into the sweet ending.

YOU CHANGED AND SO DID I is a perfect title for this piece. It really sounds as if two people are coming to terms over their relationship. One is trying to explain how they changed or how they haven’t. This short little conversation tells so much at a 1:45, it sounds like those lower notes are well emphasis saying, “Oh well…I’m different too. And it’s okay.” The ending plays as a “agree to disagree” moment. I really admire this piece. I can listen to it over and over again.

Hirschmann did a wonderful job on this album, and I’m so happy it came out. Join his mailing list, so please visit it. Check him out on iTunes, soundcloud.

Website: Johannes Hirschmann

Twitter: @jhpianomusic