Val Giamo, Stay With Me For Thirty Minutes Review

Val Giamo, a multifaceted composer and pianist, continues to enchant the classical music world with her evocative compositions that bridge classical and contemporary sounds. The Russian-born artist whose journey from the diverse musical landscapes of her early career to her reflective piano compositions has always sought to bridge the worlds of classical heritage and contemporary sensitivity. With her move to Sweden and the release of her album Fragments, Giamo began to carve a niche for herself in the realm of piano and cello compositions, reflecting various seasons and moods with a palette that ranges from the coolness of mint to the warmth of burgundy. Her latest offering, Stay With Me For Thirty Minutes, reflects her evolving narrative structure and deep emotional resonance, building upon the thematic and musical foundations in her previous works like Fragments and the solo piano single “Jade” (read our review HERE).

In the moments of Stay With Me For Thirty Minutes, Giamo continues to refine her ability to blend the traditional sounds of the European classical canon with New Age and (Neo) Classical influences, creating alluring and deeply layered pieces of developing themes and harmonic structures that resonate with sensitivity and purpose. Giamo weaves a captivating narrative with her solo piano and the interplay of piano and cello, inviting listeners to explore human connection and solitude. Axel Vilborg lends his rich cello sonorities to two compositions, enriching the album’s emotional landscape with his deep, resonant tones. The remaining nine pieces unfold as solo piano works, showcasing Giamo’s exquisite touch and nuanced understanding of the instrument’s expressive capabilities.

Recorded in the esteemed Spinroad Recording Studios in Gothenburg and meticulously mixed and mastered in London, this eleven-piece collection is a journey through complex emotions and stories. Giamo’s compositions, characterized by their engaging melodies and intricate harmonies, offer an immersive experience that beckons the listener to journey through the ebbs and flows of the human heart.

The album opens with “Let Us Find A Place,” immediately setting a tone of restlessness and search, reminiscent of the introspective journey Giamo embarked upon in “Jade.” Here, the interplay between the composition’s layers creates a complex dance of memory and desire, a theme that Giamo explores with increasing depth and nuance in her latest work. The piece’s hopeful harmonic shifts hint at the thematic continuity of seeking and finding that has permeated Giamo’s oeuvre.

In “An Abandoned House,” the exploration deepens, with moving arpeggios and harmonic surprises that echo the reflective mood of Fragments. This track, alongside “Far Away From Home,” showcases Giamo’s skill in using music to navigate the landscapes of the heart and soul, offering listeners a rich tapestry of sound that is comforting and haunting. Her touch on the piano is dynamic and expressive.

“We Are Two Rivers Joined” introduces Vilborg’s cello for the first time, his musical character weaving a dialogue with the piano that speaks to the interconnectedness of human experiences. This piece is a highlight of the album, demonstrating Giamo’s elegance as a composer who can craft complex emotional narratives through instrumental interaction.

The evolution of Giamo’s style is perhaps most evident in “Cold Hand But Warm Embrace” and “Against The Silence.” With their intricate melding of melody and harmony, these tracks showcase the romantic and (Neo) Classical refinement in Giamo’s approach to composition and performance. The emotional depth and technical sophistication here continue the atmospheric and poetic qualities found in the album’s overall story, yet with a new layer of narrative depth.

“A Picture Of You I Remember To Forget” and “Three Minutes Left” bring the album to a close, encapsulating the journey of connection and solitude. These pieces, rich in expressive and thematic exploration, underscore Giamo’s ability to convey profound narratives through her music and piano playing.

Stay With Me For Thirty Minutes shows Val Giamo’s artistic journey as a bridge connecting the varied elements of her musical identity. From the exploratory Fragments to the introspective single “Jade,” and now to the narrative richness of her latest album, Stay With Me For Thirty Minutes, Giamo invites listeners into a world where classical and contemporary influences merge to tell stories of human emotion and connection. That’s the short of it!

Connect with Val Giamo: Website |