Natural Light by Louis Anthony deLise, Composer
NATURAL LIGHT is deLise’s first album as featured soloist. Of the compositions, deLise says, “For me, the impetus to create music can come from many places: my surroundings, life’s events (good or bad); or, simply, the urge to play with this or that pitch collection, time signature, or rhythm. Mostly, I make music I want to hear. Music helps me celebrate life’s ups and tolerate its downs. Making music usually helps me feel better about my circumstances. It is, indeed, my original balm of first choice. So it is with Natural Light.”
Using music to self-sooth began when deLise was a child. At age seven he was hospitalized for several months in Philadelphia. Over the Christmas holiday, a kindly teacher at the hospital (the city supplied tutors for the kids who were hospitalized for long stays) loaned him a toy xylophone. He used that little instrument to teach himself to play, “Silent Night.” It is no simple coincidence that toy bells and other mallet percussion instruments are today such an integral part of deLise’s sound.
The self-soothing with music continues. “The composition, ‘Early January,’ was improvised at the piano through tears remembering my late brother, Michael. It is unabashedly tonal (composed in E-flat major), sensitive, and reflective. It sings about the impermanence of life.” Other pieces on the album are similarly personal.
“Soon after I moved to New Jersey, I was delighted to discover that Walt Whitman, one of my favorite poets, once lived near my new home. I have read that Mr. Whitman loved to walk barefoot in the marl he found along Camden County’s many creeks. When I sit at the piano in my studio, I can look out at one such stream. I imagine the great poet could have walked here. Whitman wrote about his joy of just being in the poem, ‘Miracles.’
…Or wade with naked feet along the beach, just in the edge of the water…
What came from my musing is a musical portrait that undulates back and forth between E-flat Lydian, C-natural minor and E-flat major.”
What critics say:
“…Natural Light…draws you in and lets you revel in its marvelously rich layers…Listen to this album with not just your ears but with all your heart." Ricky Kej, Grammy® Award-winning composer
“…Natural Light, the album, is a richly hued, magically magnificent recording that’s in a league of its own.” Dyan Garris for Zone Music Reporter and NewAgeCD
“Amazing musical experiences… MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED… gets my “PICK” for “most reflective and powerful album.”
Dick Metcalf, editor,
Contemporary Fusion Reviews
“…deLise has developed a unique musical voice capable of expressing anything he chooses. Natural Light is beyond beautiful! Kathy Parsons, for
MainlyPiano.com
Tracklist
Credits
Nancy Rumbel, oboe; Jeff Oster, trumpet; Christine Hansen, flute; Mirjam Ingolfsson, cello; Louis Anthony deLise, piano, percussion, orchestration
License
All rights reserved.
Even in today’s ever-burgeoning music industry, it is uncommon to find a serious composer with real pop music credentials or a pop musician with academic awards and published concert music. Composer Louis Anthony deLise is such a unique individual. He arranged & conducted for R & B songstress, Patti LaBelle. Last year, deLise earned a Fellowship from the New Jersey Council on the Arts.