44. Michael Gettel - Transition back to the Studio with The View From Here

Send us Fan MailMichael returns to the show to update Joe on his latest transition back to the studio to record his first album in more than 20 years. In this new work, “A View From Here”, he continues to combine his compositional and piano artistry to inform powerful scenes he has observed in nature. These Tableaus , as he calls them, can be viewed from the physical or spiritual perspectives. The later provides powerful life lessons and helps us to navigate our journey and transitions. One example of this is “Stepping Stones", that draws from his memories of trips to The Lake District in the United Kingdom with his students. In this beautiful area you can find many places where hand hewn stones have been placed in the bubbling rivers and streams to allow for a safe crossing. In some cases these stone crossing have been in place for hundreds of years. As in life, these stepping stones provide for safe passage but there are times following heavy rains where they are submerged well under water. Crossing during these times can be risky. This is a powerful metaphor for life’s journey for most of us. At times our safe path is obstructed or caries great risk and we have to find another way around. About Michael Raised in Evergreen, Colorado, Michael Gettel began pursuing his musical interests on piano and trumpet at an early age. He graduated with honors through the School of Music from The University of Northern Colorado, and later became a Klingenstein Fellow at Columbia University in New York City. Michael began his music teaching career in 1981 at The Kent Denver School, and then relocated to Seattle to continue teaching at The Bush School, and to launch his now celebrated recording career. ‘San Juan Suite’, Michael’s first recording, quickly received international acclaim, and is considered by many reviewers and ‘best-of lists’, as one of the finest solo piano recordings of its genre. A Gold Record recipient, he has 12 international releases, most of them inspired by nature and specific regions, such as the Southwest (‘Skywatching’), the Pacific Northwest(‘San Juan Suite I and II’), and The United Kingdom(‘The Journey North’). Michael’s work has been used extensively in network programming and film. His album and accompanying video, ‘The Art of Nature’, won the Gold Prize for best long-form video in The Houston International Film Festival. Prefer Video? => https://youtu.be/Bm1prcjUsHAFor more on Michael or to contact him visit his website at  http://sanluismusic.orgReferenced in this episode - Robert Lang Studios =>  https://www.robertlangstudios.com/ Kelsey Lee Cate =>  https://www.kelseyleemusic.com/Support the show