Anton Belov - Piano Works II (2019)

Following in the wake of his solo debut with Piano Works I, multi-instrumentalist Anton Belov returns with Piano Works II, an organic continuation of Part I that resumes Anton’s journey into the past where he revives memories of moments long gone with deeply moving piano compositions. Piano Works II sees Anton further articulate his unique instrumental language, one where melodies awash in ethereal electronics enter quietly and linger long after the music has stopped.

The album art depicting a row of skiffs along a glassy lake comes from a photo taken by Anton’s grandfather many years ago. Originally from the coldest region of Russia, Anton’s music often reflects deep-seated aspects of Russian identity that are felt in the meetings and tensions between traditional melodies and post-industrial ambiance.

Delicate yet engrossing, Piano Works II brings the listener face to face with the past. Its enduring reverberations reach across the threshold of memory to reanimate touching details long forgotten that flicker back to life, leaving impressions that won’t soon fade. -Wyatt Marshall