David Wahler

Bio:

"Contemporary ambient artist David Wahler musically takes us beyond earthly boundaries on his newest release A STAR DANCED. It is music that celebrates the joy of living on a celestial scale. I give it a stellar recommendation. ."

R J Lannan, Zone Music Reporter

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"ANTIQUUS is bound to be one of 2009's best debuts in the electronic new age music genre and it heralds a great future for this new artist."

Bill Binkelman, New Age Reporter

David Wahler's impressive new album transcends all labels. His luscious compositions range from neo classical to New Age electronic, yet remain so unique as to garnish raves from the reviewers for his originality and talent. Using his classical music training, David has created a lyrical compass to guide you through the ancient world of oracles and myths in your own search for truth and meaning in today's world. In this relaxing, inspirational music you will hear the influences of Eric Satie, Vangelis, Chopin, Rimsky-Korsakov, Kitaro and many more. It is no wonder that R J Lannan of New Age Reporter says "David Wahler's music has depth, light and texture.....that somehow parts the fabric of time and lets me drift into an unknown, ancient universe?."

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Review by R J Lannan, New Age Reporter:

For What is Time?

I think there are some that are specifically attuned the Music of the Spheres. Perhaps David Wahler is such a person. His unique music embraces the ideology of Pythagoras and Heraclitus. He visits the mythology and mystery that made the glory days of ancient Greece one of the most profound eras in man’s history. His album Antiquus is a chronology of wondrous places and events leading up to the modern century. Wahler uses a synthesizer the way metaphysics uses abstract concepts. His music has depth, light and texture. There is literally openness to his compositions, as if he left room inside them for us to wander about, learn something new and make up our own thoughts.

David Wahler began the piano at age seven using his natural instinct to understand and play music. That did not give him discipline, so sought out formal training at music clinics and eventually he went on to study performance at Lawrence University Conservatory of Music and Mannes College of Music in New York. Eventually he found himself at the Berklee College of Music's Electronic Music Production in the cultural center of the universe, Boston Massachusetts. His musical influences range from Kitaro to Stravinsky, Satie to Eno, and others before and beyond.

Antiquus, the title tune is a refrain that is found in the Spheres, echoing, mirroring sounds that are like rings of waves in a pool of still water. Is it a harmonious portal to an era where thoughts became ideas and reality was in its early stages? The solution lies deep within the music and as I listen, I find myself floating, and trying desperately to latch on to an answer. With a sound like tinkling glass, Apollo’s Lyre is transparent and intricately formed of prismatic light. In mythology, Apollo used his lyre in a contest to defeat Marsyas and his flute. The flute plays a major role in David’s tune, dancing gently along with the background strings. No matter how many times I listen to the album I am drawn repeatedly to Hyacinthus. It contains an eerie chorus and a haunting piano melody that somehow parts the fabric of time and lets me drift into an unknown, ancient universe. I can almost feel the angry, jealous breath of Zephyrus as he uses his power to destroy Hyacinthus, the beloved of Apollo. Wahler uses the flute to symbolize Apollo’s grief and undying devotion. With the peal of a distant bell, Angelis begins. Lightly strummed guitar and a haunting chorus call and answer in polyphonic tones. Taken from the Missa de Angelis (Mass of the Angels), David has a wondrous sense of balance between the chorus for heaven and the guitar for earth. It is a quiet, spiraling tune perhaps representing the coalescence of the two worlds. This is one of my favorites on ANTIQUUS. The album concludes with the song Ancient Dawn. Truly, I could visualize the sun as it reaches out golden fingers upon the earth. Where goes light, so goes life. The animals wake, the plants grow, the fire is kindled. The fire not only of warmth, but also of spirit.

David Wahler, in a modern fashion represents very well the Classical Age of the Greeks in his music. It embodies a fascinating time of discovery, invention and trial. His synthesized orchestrations are passionate and his compositions survive with a very strong structure. Overall, I like every cut and look forward to more of his music.

Rating: Very Good _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Review by Bill Binkelman, New Age Reporter:

"During my twelve years of reviewing music, I've heard many debut recordings, ranging from dreadful to impressive. ANTIQUUS, the freshman effort from pianist/keyboardist David Wahler, comfortably sits at the latter end of that continuum. With excellent production standards, a high caliber of assorted electronic keyboards, and a surprising variety of moods, styles and tempos, Wahler grabbed my attention from the get-go and held it for the full ten tracks (fifty-five plus minutes of music). Musical influences are sprinkled throughout: Vangelis, Jonn Serrie, Deuter, Bernward Koch, and Tristan Feldbauer come to my mind. However, Wahler carves out his own artistic niche with ease, grace, charm and a dazzling display of electronic keyboard wizardry. Bound to be one of the best debuts of this year, ANTIQUUS should find a veritable legion of fans among new age music fans (cross-over potential into the chill-out genre exists on a few tracks as well)."

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DAVID WAHLER BIO:

At the age of 7 I was playing the old upright piano in the Guild Hall of our church in Belvidere, Illinois, repeating the closing hymn I had just heard moments ago. An elderly woman asked, “Where did you learn to do that?” I had never taken a piano lesson in my life and yet I intuitively knew how to play all the current hits popular on the radio. It didn't occur to me to consider how or why I had this gift. But by attracting a crowd that Sunday, and garnishing their praise, a new musician and performer was born!

I soon began to formally study piano and, much to my young egos lament, unlearn many bad self taught habits. With newly imposed discipline I began to play for local pageants, parties, Rotary Club meetings and ballet recitals. Determined to learn as much as I could about my craft, I attended summer music clinics and acadamies at various universities, eventually earning first place awards at many state piano competitions. I studied piano performance at Lawrence University Conservatory of Music and Mannes College of Music in New York. I found myself in the world of classical recitals, chamber music and vocal accompaniment. Having moved to New York, I began working in Off Broadway theater, serving as musical director, arranger and composer of several productions. Returning to the Chicago area, I played with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra and New American Theater. At this time I began to undergo my first real period of spiritual self discovery. I was able to finally recognise that the gift of music I had been given was something that I must, in return, give away and share with others. I began teaching music appreciation to disadvantaged and handicapped children. I worked in earnest with the Camp Sunshine/National Arts for the Handicapped Program and toured the country with Miriam Perrone and future Broadway Tony winner, Marin Mazzie.

As many of you know by experience, life takes many detours and offers countless paths to explore. In the 1980’ and 90’s I found myself pursuing successful careers in retail and design. Yet even with material success in the business world I found something missing in my life. I began to again search for a spiritual meaning and cohesiveness. Out of these years of discovery I realized I had denied my true love for piano and the need to express and share of myself in music. I began to understand my compositions are an instrument of healing and change. I enrolled in the Berklee College of Music’s Electronic Production program and a new world opened to me when I began to master the techniques of creating soundscapes, combining my passion for piano with unique orchestrations. I have been deeply influenced by such classical composers as Eric Satie, Gabriel Faure, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky, Chopin, Scarlatti and Rimsky-Korsakov. I was now able to merge styles influenced by other contemporary electronic and popular music makers: Brian Eno, Eric Whitaker, John Adams, Richard Bone, Liz Story, Kitaro, Yulara, and Peter Gabriel, amongst many others. Having joyfully embraced yet another path in life I now find myself at the point where I present to you my debut CD, “ANTIQUUS”

I currently live in Southern California with my two greatest fans, Bingo and Coal, my West Highland Terriers.

I still think of that woman, years ago in that church meeting hall, asking me “Where did you learn how to do that?”. Perhaps now I would be able to answer her in all sincerity, “I didn’t learn how to do it. It was a gift which was given to me by Spirit. My hope now is to share it with you and others and in so doing, transform our emotions and feelings and, perhaps, mindfully enrich our very existence.”

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Member Since:

August 01, 2008

Influences:

Scriabin, Rimsky-Korsakov, Barber, Chopin, Whitaker, Adams, Part, Faure, Granados, Cage, Sessions, Yulara, Villa-Lobos, Satie, Vaughn-Williams, Gabriel, Sting, Piaf, Patachou, Mariconne, Sondheim, Marianelli, Hans Zimmer.....

Sounds Like:

lush orchestrations, soaring choirs, sensual melodies. Vangelis, 2002, Enya, Tangerine Dream, David Arkenstone, Bernward Koch, Jonn Serrie

Record Label:

Darius Productions