Myths and Legends from Pianist Michele de Wilton
In this new era of “conscious entertainment,” one would be challenged to find more positive music than Michele de Wilton’s mystically beautiful Myths & Legends. In her new album of musical storytelling via piano solos, the artist delivers soothing music sophisticated enough for adults, yet also enjoyable for children of all ages.
The artist — an Ohio-based mother of two and lifelong pianist — has created a stunning work of 13 original compositions conveying compelling stories of adventure, love, and endless yearning. The album’s generous 55 minutes of relaxing and emotive music share both well-known and obscure tales from around the world, sure to inspire the imaginations of adults and children alike.
The album itself seems imbued with mystery, perhaps picking up on the magical time it was recorded at the Chicago Recording Company during the record Chicago snowstorms of 2008. Laughing, de Wilton fondly recalls hunkering down to record, cozy in her favorite pink Uggs.
Its theme attracts a broad array of mythology fans to the album, which includes sophisticated interpretations of classic tales like “The Ice Maiden” alongside less well-known myths such as “Salt River.” The artist sees an interest from teachers, as well as a family appeal, with the gently twinkling “Nursery Rhyme for a Starry Sky” sure to become a favorite for young children at bedtime. The stories behind each of the 13 intriguing tales are explained at the “Musical Journey” page on the artist’s equally beautiful interactive website (www.micheledewilton.com).
The fact that her current piano coach, Jennifer Loftus, is also a Reiki healer seems apropos to Michele’s path in exploring conscious music. New Age piano music fans will recognize Myths & Legends as entertaining background music or as music for massage, thanks to de Wilton’s contemplative style on the piano, having begun training at age 6. Her love for musical storytelling was inspired by artists like Janis Ian and Chris de Burgh, but her music is much more along the lines of new age artists such as Liz Story, George Winston or David Lanz. De Wilton names composers Frédéric Chopin, Felix Mendelssohn and Bedrich Smetana as a few of her earliest classical influences.
A lover of performance, the pianist herself is featured in a popular music video of “The Ice Maiden” currently airing on YouTube, MusicDishTV, and numerous websites worldwide. The album is supported by a marketing team comprised of Only New Age Music, The B Company, KDM Promotion, and Greg Steffan; distributors include New Leaf Distributing and CPI Distribution, Inc.
Praise is abundant for this debut album, which is available through both specialty book and music stores and mainstream stores like Borders or Barnes and Noble. Online outlets include sites like iTunes, Rhapsody and Amazon.
Veteran reviewer RJ Lannan of New Age Reporter recently wrote “…I like to get lost in tall tales of heroes and characters of ancient times…So to appease my imagination and stimulate my spirit I put on Michele de Wilton’s new album Myths & Legends.”
In an earlier indicator of success, the album earned an impressive 33 New Adds in its first month of radio promotion. Additionally, FHI (For Her Information) Magazine’s annual “It Girl” issue also proclaimed “Sophisticated, dramatic, and truly relaxing, this debut album is perfect for unwinding at the end of the day and as great dinner music.” CMH Magazine in Columbus recently featured an interview with Michele de Wilton following her relocation to the Ohio city from Chicago. The artist has also lived and studied abroad in London, Cape Town, and Athens; indeed, it was in these places that she gathered some of the colorful stories she shares through her music.
For performance updates, videos, music downloads and background information, please visit the artist’s website at www.micheledewilton.com.
Fans can join Michele de Wilton’s Fan Club at ReverbNation.com/micheledewilton.
About the Artist
Michele de Wilton lives in Columbus, OH, with her husband and two children; she holds a Bachelor’s and two Master’s degrees from Northwestern University. Myths and Legends is her debut album. Her fascination with musical storytelling was inspired by more contemporary singer-songwriters like Joan Baez, Chris de Burgh and Janis Ian, with a nod to Broadway composers Andrew Lloyd Webber and Claude-Michel Schönberg. However, her list of influences is not complete without mentioning the illustrative film composers Ennio Morricone, Michael Nyman and Hans Zimmer.
