A fantastic solo piano voyage that explores the history, nature, animals, and people of Cape May, New Jersey. The CD also includes Solitudes â five pensive compositions dedicated to past friends, pets, and remembrances.

11 MP3 Songs
NEW AGE: Nature, NEW AGE: Solo Instrumental



Details:
The featured keyboard artist from Mannheim Steamroller scores again with this stunning new recording of his original keyboard works. Jackson Berkeyâs colorfully descriptive piano music from Cape May, New Jersey continues on this pristinely recorded CD from SDG Records®.

"Atlantic Fantasy" and its companion pieces, "Cape May Solitudes", were written between 1999 and 2003 during Jacksonâs writing sabbaticals at âColvmns By The Seaâ, a former B&B in Cape May, New Jersey. This SDG CD, along with its correlated publications from SDG Press®, brings new major works to the piano repertoire of the 21st Century.

Jackson Berkeyâs performances reveal a mature artist and composer, often in a very contemplative, reflective mood. The title work, "Atlantic Fantasy", is comprised of six sections, seamlessly connected in a 20-minute, masterful display of pianism. The composerâs collection of reminiscences, "Cape May Solitudes", provides deep reflections on those parts of our lives no longer with us. People, places, and pets are brought to life through music combined with the natural sounds of the Atlantic ocean, winter winds, seagulls, and the return of the LâUltima Amor chimes from the composer-pianistâs earlier CD, "Cape May Preludes".

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QUOTES & REVIEWS

"At the present we have a total of 11 SDG CDs in our library. The Jackson Berkey ATLANTIC FANTASY is an excellent addition. All of the compositions are quite modern in their mood, but very easy on the ear. I know our radio audience will enjoy listening to these selections. I am listening to S.S. Atlantus as I write you this. Thank You."
John Ray Jordan, KEDM 90.3 FM Public Radio, Classical Music Announcer

"Jackson's new release is really inspired! Never have I been moved to tears when listening to music, I'm a big guy - that just doesn't happen. but this new album is wonderful."
Dan Stratton, Illustration

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Composer's Notes

Written between 1999 and 2003, these piano compositions were inspired during my writing sabbaticals at Cape May, New Jersey. This CD and its corresponding SDG Press® publication brings to the piano repertoire of the 21st Century an extended keyboard work similar to the Piano Fantasy of Aaron Copland. Although my "Atlantic Fantasy" is more programmatic than Coplandâs work, it is similarly written for the mature pianist ââ a musician with a clear understanding of structure, balance, and proportion in the performance of a large-scale work.

The highly varied sections of "Atlantic Fantasy" are connected seamlessly, producing a 20-minute solo piano work. Unlike my "Cape May Preludes", there are no audible seagulls, ocean waves, or wind chimes. As the Fantasy unfolds, all is left to the imagination of the performer and listener.

My piano collection, "Cape May Solitudes", provides deep reflections on those parts of our lives no longer with us, be they people, places, or pets. Here in my performances the ocean becomes audible, as do the cold Atlantic winter winds, wind chimes, gulls, and the return of my "LâUltima Amor" chimes from "Cape May Preludes".

One of the Solitudes, "Fire and Snow", is a fond farewell to the memory of my January Cape May retreat, âColvmns By The Seaâ. While still easily recognized on the outside, the âColvmnsâ inside is now five beautiful condominiums. Many aspects of the century-old, private house-turned-bed & breakfast have been retained, including the beautiful three-story, wood staircase just inside the front entrance. Also still in use is the roof deck which, from its vantage point, provides stunning panoramas of the ever-changing sunrises and sunsets on the Atlantic coast.

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JACKSON BERKEY ⢠COMPOSER / PIANIST

Jackson Berkeyâs artistry encompasses that of an acclaimed pianist, an inventive and highly creative composer, a meticulous producer and recording artist. His range of accomplishments in music combine with a depth of talent that is formidable indeed. His New York Town Hall Debut in 1969 launched a remarkable and highly varied career.

First known as touring pianist for the Norman Luboff Choir, Jackson has recorded and toured as âFeatured Keyboard Artistâ with Chip Davis and Mannheim Steamroller for the past 30 years. With his advanced degree in performance from New Yorkâs Juilliard School, Berkeyâs musical foundation lies in the classical, sacred, and chamber genre.

His earlier American Gramaphone releases âSunken Cathedralâ, âBalladeâ, and 109 featured compelling performances of classical piano works by Scriabin, Beethoven, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and Persichetti. That pursuit now continues with performances of works by Scarlatti, Debussy, Beethoven, Chopin and Liszt. American Gramaphoneâs âHoliday Musikâ series offers Berkeyâs performances of Harpsichord works by Domenico Scarlatti and J. S. Bach.

On SDG Records®, Jacksonâs solo CD, âFacetsâ, includes stunning performances of many âsignatureâ works throughout his career, including classical pieces by Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Sibelius, Beethoven, Chopin, and Fauré. On that label the artist has also released âThe Mountains and The Seaâ, âBerkey Meets Horowitz on the 503â, âCape May Preludesâ, âHarpsichord Carolsâ, and in 2004, âAtlantic Fantasyâ. All CDs offer performances of original solo keyboard and instrumental works from his published catalog.

An accomplished composer, Jackson Berkeyâs publications include music for solo voice, solo instruments, chamber ensemble, orchestra, symphonic band, and choir. His âChamber Concerto for Organ, Winds, Percussion, and Stringsâ and his âConversations for Harp and Chamber Orchestraâ were both premièred in 2004. From solo musicians to full orchestra and multiple choirs, Berkeyâs compositions create excitement through brilliant rhythmic patterns, metric modulations, and intense dance rhythms. His sensitivity to text and to both joyous and tender melodies give pleasure to every performer, including those oft-neglected players of the inner lines in ensemble music. Every musical force interacts with its musical partners, whether they be solo or duet melodies or a percussion ensemble with organ. His writing reveals careful attention to structure, form, and performance success; even with difficult-to-balance entities such as harp and orchestra. Highly evident in his intelligent and expressive solo piano works is Berkeyâs unique ability to shape phrases and draw extraordinary color from the instrument.

Jackson and his wife Almeda - herself a distinguished conductor, singer, and librettist - have documented their work with SDG Records®, which also records the professional choir, Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum. Almeda conducts pristine performances of many of Jacksonâs compositions, as well as beautiful music from all periods of classical music and folk music. A beautiful sampling of Luboff choral arrangements is showcased on their nostalgic âNorman Luboff Rememberedâ. Six other Cantorum CDs include Berkey compositions among other classical works. Also recording two CDs of Jacksonâs treble choral music on SDG Records® is the internationally recognized Seattle Girlsâ Choir conducted by Dr. Jerome Wright.

An ASCAP award-winning composer, Jacksonâs catalog of over 300 works is enjoying hundreds of fine performances across the United States and abroad. Recent honors include First Prize in the New Music for Young Ensembles Composition Contest in New York City for his Piano âTrio Kassarjianâ; the Alienor Harpsichord Festival at Hilton Head, S.C; and the Nebraska Individual Artist Fellowship for Performing Arts, Distinguished Achievement in Composition Award. Jackson Berkey appeared on the artist roster of Baldwin Piano and Organ Company for more than two decades. Performances of several of Jacksonâs longer works have been conducted by Almeda in New Yorkâs Carnegie Hall. She also conducted the world première of his âLâUltima Amorâ for triple womenâs choirs, commissioned for the 400 voices of the AmericaFest 2001 International Womenâs Choir Festival. Some works have been set to film and to dance, such as â Arma Lucisâ, performed at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

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About SDG Records® and SDG Press®

Soli Deo Gloria - "To God, alone, the glory."
J.S. Bach used this phrase as a signature at the end of many of his works. One sees it over doorways and music instruments in Europe. SDG Press® was founded in 1985 to publish the compositions and arrangements of Jackson Berkey.  

For many years, both Almeda and Jackson toured and performed with Norman Luboff, the extraordinary choral performer, composer, and publisher. It was at Norman's suggestion that the Berkeys formed "Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum" which Almeda conducts. SDG Records® was first established as the record label for the Cantorum. 

Jackson Berkey also has many works published by Walton Music Corporation, Norman Luboff's highly regarded publishing company. Berkey's entire published catalog may be viewed at www.berkey.com.  Click "Official Website" above.