Lore Constantine: Press/Reviews

"20 fun things to do this weekend"

Click on link for full article.

"Piano Expressions, by Lore Constantine combines New Orleans jazz style with classic rock"

Click on this link to see full article!

Lovely unaccompanied piano simply surrounds you with pleasure. You know some of the songs already, but it like hearing them for the first time. Beautiful, hypnotic and addictive.

“Piano Expressions” is Lore Constantine’s follow-up to her 2007 debut recording, “Piano Impressions.” The fourteen solo piano tracks consist of a broad range of music most of which is played in a New Orleans jazz style. Two of the pieces are originals, and the others are Constantine’s arrangements of pieces by Lyle Lovett, James Booker, The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and others – a rather dizzying mix that is held together by Constantine’s playing style and approach to the music. Her playing is often big and bold, so I wouldn’t call this music to fall asleep with. It’s more for energizing than relaxation, although a few of the songs are on the quiet side. Along with the obvious rock and blues influences, Constantine has a strong classical music background that is the most apparent in her original music.

The CD begins with Lovett’s “She’s No Lady,” arranged in an upbeat, playful style that seems to grin. My favorite track is The Grateful Dead’s “Black Peter” with its slow, soulful, funky blues. Constantine’s “Serenity” is more delicate and peaceful, in keeping with its title. I never would have thought of Pink Floyd’s music being workable as piano solos, but Constantine’s version of “Breathe” is very effective. On the other hand, most of The Beatles’ music sounds great on the piano, and her take on “Norwegian Wood” is beautiful and flowing. I also really like Bruce Springsteen’s “New York City Serenade,” a slow, enchanting ballad that evokes real passion. Constantine included two of Bob Dylan’s songs, “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” and “Lay, Lady, Lay.” The first is good-time music, full of fun and spirit; and the second is a tender love song – Constantine brings both to life even without the words. “Hop Skip Blues” is the other original piece, and Constantine calls it “a kind of blues meets Chopin” piece – also a lot of fun! She then finishes the album with another Grateful Dead tune, the bright and energetic “Ripple.”

The music on “Piano Expressions” is a lot of fun to listen to and I’m sure it will bring some real piano pizzazz to many parties! It is available from www.lore constantine.com, cdbaby.com, and will be available soon from iTunes. Enjoy!

Lore Constantine has a gift for probing into melodies. Her Piano Impressions draws from wildly varied sources - Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell, Led Zeppelin, the Neville Brothers and Marian McPartland among others, yet the album feels rounded and whole. This is not ethereal wallpaper. Her playing commands attention which is richly rewarded.

Thank you, Lore Constantine, for your genre-crossing concert here at Muhlenberg College. It was a wonderful experience for our students and a great opportunity for them to hear one musician's solution to the question of how to define an independent path.

Your fusion of traditional piano literature and technique with pieces from recent Rock and other styles is very powerful.

Thank you.

Lore Constantine’s debut CD, “Piano Impressions,” is a very eclectic mix of classic rock, jazz, and pop melodies, and a couple of original compositions. A pianist who has performed in venues from casinos and taverns to recital halls and restaurants, Constantine’s playing and arranging styles can be subtle at times and very big and boisterous at others, depending on the mood of the piece and the setting. Actually, I like her original pieces the best on this album, and perhaps she’ll treat us to a full album of her own compositions sometime in the future.


The opening piece is “Takes My Breath Away,” a lovely ballad originally performed by Tuck and Patti. Constantine’s arrangement for solo piano is soulful and expressive. “Willow Creek” is another beauty, this one composed by Marian McPartland. Slow and graceful but complex harmonically, this is one of my favorites. Constantine arranged and recorded two of The Grateful Dead’s songs, “Mountains of the Moon” and “Terrapin Station.” I have never been a fan of The Dead’s music, so these two don’t do much for me. “One Winter’s Night” was composed for string ensemble and solo, but works beautifully on piano. Its delicate and gentle melody has a peaceful flow and lots of expression. The Neville Brothers’ “Yellow Moon” is another rocker with lots of heavy bass on the piano. “Love Gets in the Way” has the easy sway of a slow dance and a tender, romantic melody. “Flute Blues (or If Only I Was a Harmonica Player)” is one of the two originals. I love piano blues, and Constantine does an admirable job of translating her duet for flute and guitar to piano solo. Slinky and fun! The second Constantine original, “A Morricone Moment,” was inspired by the music in Clint Eastwood’s westerns. Another beautiful ballad, it shows Constantine’s quiet and more classical side. Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” is another favorite. Melancholy and bittersweet, this one really comes from the heart. “Stairway to Heaven,” the Led Zeppelin’s rock classic, begins rather plaintively and builds to full-tilt bravado by the end. I’ll bet this one gets their attention in the casinos!


Lore Constantine’s debut is very promising. I’d love to hear more of her original work, but know that familiar music will bring her a bigger audience. Check it out at www.loreconstantine.com, amazon.com, cdbaby.com, and iTunes.

This is a beautiful CD. Lore Constantine's handling of complex melodies and gentle harmonies combine to make this a CD you will return to again and again. I listen to it while I am working, as well as when I just want to sit quietly and listen to beautiful piano music. I am impressed with her original compositions, and would like to hear more recordings by her.