Peter Calandra’s latest album “Spirit” is a mesmerising exploration of emotive piano compositions and ambient soundscapes.
Consisting of 13 tracks, the album features a blend of 10 original pieces and 3 re-imagined classics from the early 1970s, reflecting Calandra’s musical journey from his teenage years to the present day.
In the midst of today’s chaotic and rapidly changing world, “Spirit” serves as a sanctuary encouraging listeners to pause and engage in moments of introspection. Calandra’s goal is to counter the fast paces nature of modern life with music that tells stories and evolves over time, offering a reprieve from the constant rush with music that unfolds gradually, encouraging contemplation.
Described as “Quiet Music for a Loud World,” each track on “Spirit” has been crafted with meticulous attention to detail.
Calandra’s virtuosity on the piano is evident from the opening notes of the title track. The album unfolds like a series of paintings, with layers of sound carefully woven together to evoke a range of emotions.
“ ‘Spirit’ contains 10 original songs and 3 cover songs. The original songs were curated from material improvised during the pandemic as I started to broadcast Saturday Night Live Sets on YouTube. After 62 weeks of these, I had many hours of material recorded. While I like all the music, much of it was not suitable for an album release. I went through and picked some of my favorites to include on this album. All the original music is improvised. The cover songs I chose were songs I performed in my younger days when I was playing in bar bands.”
Tracks such as “Joyful Light,” “Fading Memories” and “Night Sky” showcase Calandra’s ability to convey deep feelings through delicate piano solos and ethereal textures. A standout track is “Layla” where Calandra reinterprets this classic Eric Clapton song with serene notes and touches of gospel, breathing new life into the familiar melody.
Overall, “Spirit” offers a respite from the noise of the world, allowing the listener to immerse themselves in the beauty and solace of its melodies.
With a career spanning Broadway productions, film scoring, and composing for prestigious events, Calandra’s musical expertise shines through in every composition. His diverse solo albums, which have received nominations and accolades, demonstrate his emotive expressiveness and impeccable musicianship across various genres.
He has composed the scores for over 100 films, created more than 2500 pieces for television, film, and albums, as well as unforgettable themes for major events and esteemed networks such as the FIFA World Cup for Fox Sports and the Special Olympics for ESPN. Noteworthy recognitions include nods from prestigious platforms like the Independent Spirit Awards for his contributions to acclaimed films like “Jellysmoke” and “Unknown Soldier.”
Calandra’s music traverses genres, ranging from jazz to neo-classical, and his standout release “First Light” earned him nominations for the Zone Music Reporter Awards.
His versatility extends to Broadway where he has left an indelible mark through his involvement in notable productions like “Miss Saigon” and “The Lion King”.
In addition to this impressive portfolio, Calandra is Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queen’s College CUNY. Here, he shares insights on Audio / MIDI, Film Scoring, and Music Composition. He is a Yamaha endorsed artist.
Stay up to date with Peter Calandra on his Website.
Music is available on Spotify, Apple/iTunes music and YouTube Music.
