A Beautiful American Concerto: "American Coastlines"

"American Coastlines: Concerto for Piano, Orchestra and Choir" would make beautiful background music for a movie.

It is rare indeed to find such beautiful music born and bred in the United States by an American composer. Reminiscent of the music of some of the greatest and most ambitious American movies past and present, these songs on the piano are clearly discernible and majestic. The added overlay of the orchestra adds fullness and richness of texture. The entire performance is marvelously imaginative and innovative, truly an American masterpiece of which to be proud.



It is rare indeed to find such beautiful music born and bred in the United States by an American composer.  Reminiscent of the music of some of the greatest and most ambitious American movies past and present, these songs on the piano are clearly discernible and majestic. The added overlay of the orchestra adds fullness and richness of texture. The entire performance is marvelously imaginative and innovative, truly an American masterpiece of which to be proud.

Haunting and mellifluous melodies interweave with background music of an orchestra and choir composed and conducted by Tim Keyes, with piano music by Darlene Popkey. This stunning performance was recorded live at the Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, New Jersey in four movements.

1. Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey: July

2. Long Boat Key, Florida: October

3. Galveston Island, Texas: January

4. Big Sur, California: April

Darlene Popkey, for whom the concerto was written, has enjoyed numerous international  musical awards and honors. Darlene has played with the Tim Keyes Consort such masterpieces as Dvorak's Symphony no. 9 (From the New World) and Saint Saens Symphony no. 3 as well as other new symphonic compositions.  In this 79 minute-long concerto called "American Coastlines" musical notes blend and continuously melt into each other. Dignified, memorable melodies take after Chopin and Rachmaninoff and show off her command of glissando. Darlene's schedule continues with live virtuoso solo and orchestral musical performances.

Tim Keyes is a New-Jersey-based composer, conductor and director of his eponymous orchestra of instrumentalists from Central New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania.

It is really quite extraordinary and refreshingly reassuring to be able to hear soothing and majestic new American compositions.

It's wonderful to play on the computer or in the car. This would also make wonderful music for ecclesiastical settings, school plays and would be a terrific present to buy as a gift. Everyone would love it. It is available from Amazon and iTunes.

Here is video link to a description of the CD on Youtube.

Darlene Popkey has an audio CD called "Small Town" also available at Amazon.