Frank Levin - Recordings & CD's

Yiddish Wisdom:
One old friend is better than two new ones.

Morning to Midnight

Levin is a contemporary composer of dozens of songs, piano and small ensemble pieces, and has come up with his first CD, a retrospective of some of the best of his piano music, beautifully performed by award-winning pianist Scott Pratt. The CD, entitled "Morning to Midnight", includes the suite by that name, six pieces from Frank's "San Francisco Souvenirs", a seasonal cycle, and a variety of other works.

Response to the CD has been overwhelmingly positive from the many fans who have already purchased it. "I love it. I play it in the car and in the office. It's like being on vacation," said Nellie Keate, a Realtor.

Dick Wahlberg, recording engineer for the project, was full of praise for Scott Pratt's contribution. "Every take was an honest performance," he told a reporter.

"There is not one throw-away track among the twenty five, and every performance is definitive," said Levin. "We recorded slowly over a two year period-no more than three or four tracks at a session- and Scott rehearsed each selection with me several times before entering the studio to ensure every nuance was perfect. Even the eye-catching accompanying booklet was custom crafted with text and images meticulously coordinated."

Purchase this CD or any individual track for $.99 each

San Francisco Souvenirs

Frank Levin's San Francisco Souvenirs is one of the largest collections of music ever composed by one person to celebrate the city in all it's diversity: 26 tracks and 72 minutes of piano vignettes dedicated to San Francisco's sights, districts and citizens.

The music is as diverse as the city that inspired it. From the "Pier 39 Rag" and nostalgic "Windmills of Golden Gate Park"to the soulful "Third Street Blues," folksy "Russians of the Richmond," romantic "North Beach Nights," impressionistic "Bay Sailboats," baroque "At the Columbarium," elegiac "Farewell for Rosa," contemporary classical "Lullaby for Kevin," oriental "Irving Street Rhapsody," popular "Melody in C for Glen Lee," and jazzy "Party Time in SoMa," vitually every style and emotion is represented. The music composed by Frank Levin over two decades is beautifully performed by Scott Pratt, a concert pianist who teaches at The San Francisco Conservatory of Music and is President of the San Francisco branch of The Music Teachers Association of California.

This CD is a heartfelt tribute to the city that both the composer and pianist clearly love. Anyone who has ever admired, visited or lived in the City by the Bay will appreciate San Francisco Souvenirs.

Purchase this CD or any individual track for $.99 each

Samples

Mouse over the titles below to read a caption about each tune.

Wesla Whitfield Recordings

Wesla Whitfield (aka Weslia Whitfield), well-known to audiences in New York and San Francisco has twice been honored by Cabaret Gold Awards as outstanding Female vocalist and outstanding Jazz vocalist.

Below is the cover of the mini-album created by Grassroots Projects Unlimited of San Francisco. Weslia presents four original Christmas songs with words and music by Baron Von Heisterkampf and Frank Levin.

The album title, an infectious San Francisco Christmas song is followed by Little Babe , a gentle prayer for spiritual rebirth. Make Everyday a Christmas is a warm, contemporary ballad and Light Up the Christmas Tree , a sparkling miniature for children of all ages.

These songs are fondly dedicated to the wonderful people of San Francisco.

"He is an accomplished miniaturist who brings a host of influences into his work- subtle jazz tinges, the kind of cowboy songs that inspired Copland, Debussian harmonies, cocktail pianism, and pop tunefulness that rubs shoulders with the more rarefied utterances of Chopin and Scriabin. Pianist Scott Pratt shows his virtuosity by finding unfailingly, the right tempo for each of these vocally inspired miniatures, and by characterizing each fully within the parameters allotted."

The compositions are very expressive...impressive debut CD
_{- West Portal Monthly October 2002}

"Stylistically, the compositions are very expressive, ranging from the rich textures of his serious classical works to several upbeat ragtime ditties to the melodic melancholia found in modern jazz."

". . . taking us in some surprising directions . . . "
_{- Lyn Bronson, Music Reviewer, California Music Teacher}

"Ïn  the Taraval Street Rag, [Levin] finds something new to say in ragtime style...Summer Nocturne, Summer's End, Autumn and Arctic Spring create lovely moods...Prairie Homecoming beguiles us with some nice rhythms, while taking us in some surprising directions."

Parkside Composer Hits Right Notes on New CD
_{- Sunset Beacon October 2002}

The CD has been well received so far and Levin is confident sales will continue. Realtor Nellie Keate described the music as "relaxing" and uses it as background music at work. Dick Wahlberg, recording engineer for the CD, praised Pratt's contribution. "Every selection was an honest performance," he said.

Charming, unassuming, skillful
_{- Kirke Mechem, composer of opera Tartuffe, and other classical works}

"Frank Levin writes the kind of charming, unassuming, skillful piano music that the 20th century almost killed off."

I was impressed. . .
_{- Sarah Cahill, Concert Pianist and KALW Radio Host.}

"I was impressed by (the cd's) stylistic range and by Scott's playing."

Delightful music, sensitively performed
_{- Frederick Glaser, Website Reviewer}

"The music is lovely, relaxed, tuneful, and often moving. The performance could not be more appropriate, with a light touch and more than enough technique. I was particularly delighted with the Taraval Street Rag, and hope that the composer does some additional work in this genre. Bravo all around."

Great for cooking, eating, entertaining, working, studying
_{- Evan Rosen, Internet Communications Consultant and Author}

"The CD goes great with cooking, eating, entertaining, working and studying. As one listens to the CD, images of foggy mornings, sunny afternoons, and moonlit evenings come to mind. Morning to Midnight will keep you smiling and tapping your toes 24 hours a day."

Highly listenable; bears repeated playing; honest stuff, grabs your ear.
_{- Stanley Mars, Travel Consultant}

Though the music is largely personal, one can readily tune in and identify with it yourself. Though all original music there is an air of familiarity to it; it's as right as rain, yet it never tires or falters. It's one of those rare recordings that makes you want to keep pressing your repeat button on your cd player.

Unique and pure
_{- Douglas Gardali, Salesman}

"The music was genuinely unique and pure. A well kept secret for anyone who would like to relax or even meditate. This is truly a breath of fresh air that is enormously rare in this day and age."