The latest album of Robert McGinty, Reflections, is charming, with twelve pieces, and exquisite music well traversing the boundary between classical and contemporary genres. McGinty, based in Manchester, draws on a wide range of influences from Vivaldi and Joseph Haydn to the syncopated style of Scott Joplin, with the flamboyant showman's taste of Liberace. Reflections celebrates McGinty's mastery of diverse musical styles through a splendid mixture of piano-centered works, Spanish guitar sections, and orchestral scores executed with flute and strings.
Reflections is a follow-on to the successful debut Chanson à La Lune. Where the first album made a mark as a marvelous exhibition of deeply emotive classical composition, Reflections ventures into a slightly more upbeat and animated approach. This album is full of joyous nostalgia where the deeply intertwined piano themes flow together with rich warmth from strings and a lively ragtime tempo.
Ebbing Tides features McGinty at his best in orchestral writing. Originally a piece for flute and string quartet, it conjures up a feeling of serene ocean tides drifting by. The Whimsical Waltz is playful yet whimsical, recalling the elegance of classical ballroom music but with a distinctly modern-day twist that inherently belongs to McGinty.
The Ragtime Special is a nice surprise, launching from a classic syncopated rhythm in the style of Joplin's greatest work into a more showtime-warm mode for performance, with a terrific range between composer and performer. It is very rare and commendable that there is such a capacity for blending styles while providing such a singular listening experience.
Reflections is ultimately a polished and sensitive collection that takes its listeners into a realm of classical elegance with modern touches. Delicate piano sonatas and rich string arrangements signal a genial, contemporary celebration of musicianship by McGinty. This album is an experience and not just a collection of pieces; it will surely find its way to the hearts of classical followers and modern listeners alike.