The Fountain of Acqua Paola, the third movement of Charles Griffes’s Roman Sketches, Op. 7, captures the grandeur and shimmering beauty of Rome’s historic fountain. Inspired by the Fontana dell’Acqua Paola on the Janiculum Hill, the piece creates a vivid impression of cascading water, sunlight, and the expansive Roman landscape.

I especially enjoy the contrast between the powerful, resonant chords and the sparkling, flowing textures. The music gradually builds in intensity, much like water gathering and surging from the fountain, before receding into a more distant and peaceful atmosphere.

Recorded in June 2025.

Water Nymph, the third movement of Ethelbert Nevin’s Water Scenes, Op. 13, is a delicate and enchanting piano piece that evokes the graceful movement of a water nymph beneath the surface of the water. Its flowing accompaniment and lyrical melody create an atmosphere that feels both dreamlike and mysterious.

I love the way the music seems to move naturally, like water itself—sometimes playful and light, then gently drifting into more expressive moments. The shimmering textures and graceful phrases invite the pianist to create a sense of fluidity and imagination, allowing the listener to picture a hidden world beneath the water.

Recorded in June 2025.

Over the Rainbow, composed by Harold Arlen and arranged for solo piano by Thomas Gunther, is one of the most beloved melodies from The Wizard of Oz. Its soaring melody carries a sense of longing, hope, and wonder, making it a beautiful reflection on the dreams we hold beyond what we can see.

For me, the image of a rainbow also carries a deeper meaning—it reminds me of God’s promise and faithfulness. Beyond the beautiful melody, the piece becomes a gentle reminder to hold on to hope, even when the path ahead is uncertain.

Recorded in June 2025.

Jardins sous la pluie (“Gardens in the Rain”), the third movement of Debussy’s Estampes, paints a vivid picture of a French garden caught in a sudden summer rain. Rapid, delicate passages suggest raindrops rushing through the garden, while fragments of familiar French melodies emerge and disappear within the sparkling texture.

I love the way Debussy transforms the piano into a world of constantly moving light, water, and color—sometimes playful and energetic, sometimes fleeting and delicate. The piece is a wonderful example of his ability to create an entire atmosphere through sound, texture, and subtle changes of color.

Recorded in June 2025.

Like the Sea at Sunrise by John Oliver (b. 1959) captures the gentle, ever-changing movement of the ocean at dawn. I especially love the way the repeating patterns evoke the continuous motion of waves and currents, gradually building and receding as the music unfolds. Sparkling high notes shimmer above these flowing patterns, creating the feeling of sunlight dancing across the water.

Recorded in June 2025.