Milana - Frozen Dream (2014)

Milana Zilnik, is one of the most popular piano players on the Soundcloud platform, with 20,000 followers and regularly appears in the “Piano Explore” section, which showcases the trending / most listened to tracks across the world. Milana’s music is very difficult to “pigeon hole”, as she covers such a wide variety of genre’s, from classical, to jazz, across to new age, romantic and then dashes of ambient in there as well. Milana sums it up best, when she says “many of my free flowing melodies and harmonies were born after listening to my favourite masters such as Chopin, Debussy, Chick Corea, Oscar Peterson & Keith Jarret.

"Frozen Dream" is the second solo piano (mostly) release from Milana this year and her fifth solo piano release in two years. This extraordinary artist has lived in a variety of cultures around the world, has had extensive musical training and has worked within a broad range of musical genres. Those influences serve her well and make her musical voice unique and distinctive. Frozen Dreams is a collection of seventeen improvisations that reflect on the seasons and their emotional impact on Milana’s soul. Many of the free-flowing pieces were created after listening to and being inspired by some of her favorite composers and musicians such as Chopin, Debussy, Chick Corea, Oscar Peterson, and Keith Jarrett. In the liner notes, Milana says: “Some of my compositions sound raw, spacious, hectic, edgy but more than anything I want them to be made for the love of the dreaming and the Harmony.”

"Frozen Dream" begins and ends with “Autumn Dream.” The first version is solo piano and the closing bonus track is orchestrated with strings and harp. Sweet and gentle with a dreamy flow, it’s a beautiful opening (and ending!). “Falling Into You” is somewhat edgier with jazz harmonies and a very spontaneous, introspective feeling. “The Whispering Blaze of Autumn” is a favorite. Spare and deeply emotional, the use of reverb creates an atmospheric backdrop to the haunting piano. Love it! “Looking Through a Frozen Window” has a lovely, melancholy cast. Some of the piece is smooth and flowing contrasted occasionally by the hard bite of icy cold. The title track also has the contrasting playing touches in a jazzier, freer style - another favorite. The lyrical “February Elegy” is a graceful, emotional heartbreaker that is SO beautiful! “From the Heart” lightens the mood considerably while “Tenderness” is so delicate it is almost fragile. “Violet Dream” is close to ambient in style, flowing freely and gently. Very expressive and just a little bit edgy, “Movement” would be an inspiring piece for a free-form dance.”Waltzing At Dawn” is a slow, romantic waltz for two set in the early-morning stillness, expressing warmth, contentment and a sense of freedom.

If you haven’t yet discovered the wonderful artistry of Milana’s music, this is a great place to start! Highly recommended! ~Kathy Parsons

Tracklist:

01. Autumn Dream (2:25)
02. Falling Into You (3:18)
03. The Whispering Blaze Of Autumn (5:07)
04. Rainy Thoughts (4:25)
05. Childhood That Is Gone (3:29)
06. Shine On (2:23)
07. Looking Through A Frozen Window (3:26)
08. Frozen Dream (3:44)
09. Meltdown (4:10)
10. February Elegy (3:36)
11. From The Heart (2:30)
12. Tenderness (5:22)
13. Rhythms Of The Night (2:20)
14. Violet Dream (2:51)
15. Movement (4:41)
16. Waltzing At Dawn (5:28)
17. Autumn Dream (Bonus) (2:24)