Sanfilippo plays gentle Steinway chords that linger with a congenial sovereignty. The melodies pursue an extremely relaxed temperament with each expression isolated by reverent pauses (which are suitably filled with languidly drifting texturals).

The electronics are primarily tenuous, establishing vaporous environs not unlike the mists that cloak a beach in the dawn hours.
These tonalities engulf the music in translucence, a luster delicately penetrated by the piano notes.

Some of the atmospherics exhibit a suppressed grittiness reminiscent of distant electrical currents crackling in an open field.
For the most part, though, the ambience remains moderate and courteous.
The compositions are ethereal yet compelling. While most ambient music relies entirely on the ebb and flow of harmonic auralscapes, these songs employ a melodic structure generated by the piano keys. Those melodies are then enhanced into pleasant phantasms by the conjunctive application of soft tones. The fragile compositions evoke moods the exact nature of which are wholly derived from the mind of the listener.

"Piano Textures2 i" opens the disc with a theme from the earlier "Piano Textures" release, which leads into a new meditative piece of great beauty. Employing sparse and simple melodic work over a slowly drifting pad Sanfilippo creates a relaxed environment for the listener to discover at their own pace. Rich in texture and layers, "Piano Textures2 i" sets the tone for the disc as a whole, establishing a mood and a feeling
that will continue throughout.

"Piano Textures2 ii" is up next, a bit more melancholy in tone but certainly just as engaging as the album opener.
A quiet drone drifts through the background underneath a forlorn melodic line. There's a really clear emotion at play here, a very organic
and real feeling that breathes through the track, made all the more impressive by the minimal number of notes being used.
A truly impressive piece of music.

"Piano Textures2 iii" follows, a slowly drifting track where forms and shapes are vague and amorphous at best, but still just as warm and beautiful as we've come to expect from Sanfilippo. Tones ebb and flow through the soundscape, gradually becoming clearer and more defined as the track progresses. It's all very languid and beautiful, bringing to mind images of floating on a still lake on that perfect summer's day.
I've always enjoyed how Sanfilippo's music can transport me to another space like that.

"Piano Textures2 iv" begins with a deep drone that slowly rises out of the soundfield, rich tones building in strength alongside it.
As time passes, the melodies become more complex, more pronounced, weaving throughout the music but never overtaking the initial drone,
just complementing and adding to it. A lovely piece of work.

The sound of twinkling stars begins "Piano Textures2 v", leading into a beautiful example of minimalist space music.
There's a rich, organic feeling at play here, something very natural and clean developed from simple sources rather than the processed synth work that largely defines the genre. I can't help but think of slow orbits around alien worlds, a solitary beauty.

"Piano Textures2 vi" brings us back to earth, a lush piano piece with minimal processing, just some really wonderful playing that makes me incredibly jealous of Sanfilippo's talents. I really can't do justice to this track, but trust me when I say that it's the most beautiful piece on an album of very beautiful work.

Sanfilippo's talent and mastery of the genre are on clear display with this release and I have no doubt that I will have to find room in my CD player for another one of his releases that I'll be playing all year long. "Piano Textures 2" is a stunning collection of music that I whole heartedly recommend to existing fans of Sanfilippo's work and to those who are looking for carefully crafted organic ambience.
Another great release from one of my favorite artists!

by Bert Strolenberg - Sonicimmersion.org
In 2007, Mr Sanfilippo presented us the first volume of “Piano Textures”, now followed by a second chapter of gentle, overall elegant, contemplative but not too soothing piano-atmospheres. These formulae already proved to be worthy on the initial release, but on
“Piano Textures 2”, Bruno reaches for and arrived on a new level of brilliance.

Recorded and mixed at Onix Studio, Barcelona, Sanfilippo once more played an Steinway Old Lady Grand Piano from 1923. and expertly mixed its notes with the flowing, atmospheric synthesizer pads (created with a Korg Radias and a Boss giga delay), to “inspire the canvas of imagination”. Carefully retaining the warmth and intimacy hidden inside, the outcome of six tracks offers even more sensitivity and captivating melodies than the previous recording, while creating and still preserving an overall tranquil ambience.
Listeners looking for beauty and melody in contemporary instrumental music should look no further. Well-done Bruno!

"Piano Textures2 I" abre el álbum. La base de un synth pad introduce a la entrecortada melodía reproducida por el piano, donde furtivas notas altas y, en ocasiones, delicadas progresiones de acordes sirven como acompañamiento al brillante sonido sintetizado.
El suave sonido del sintetizador que fluye en armonía con las delicadas notas del piano, arrancadas con sutil delicadeza, invitan al oyente a evadirse de la realidad y sencillamente, soñar. Bendita serenidad!.

Una misteriosa melodía de sintetizador y un piano que toma protagonismo, más implicado que en el tema anterior, dan vida a "Piano Textures2 II". El sonido desconcertante del synth pad, como si del soplo del viento se tratase, perdura durante toda la pieza,
mientras la melodía que dibuja el piano, discontinua, improvisada, posee un carácter triste, melancólico. Una de mis favoritas!.

"Piano Textures2 III" es la banda sonora de un profundo sueño. Delicada, la melodía del sintetizador como voz predominante sigue un ir y venir entre los canales izquierdo y derecho, mientras el tenue piano va soltando notas al aire que encajan a la perfección con el hipnotizador
ambiente creado por el synth pad. Cautivadora pieza!. Transporta a un estado de quietud pura!. Me encanta!.

En "Piano Textures2 IV" la unión de la bella melodía que reproduce el synth pad, unida a las acertadas notas altas que en ocasiones, son marcadas con fuerzas, ofrecen una libertad de espíritu sorprendente; dibujando un entorno natural idílico, esta pieza detiene el tiempo para que podamos disfrutar del momento. Bellísima pieza!.

"Piano Textures2 V". Un rápido y breve toque de notas en el piano abren paso a una poderosa melodía de sintetizador que baja su tono y se mantiene inalterable de principio a fin, creando una atmósfera idónea para el descanso. El piano, furtivo, alterna notas altas con notas bajas, como si de un diálogo se tratase. Una apacible pieza, donde el suave synth pad junto al delicado piano, transmiten sensación de paz y tranquilidad al oyente. Cautivadora pieza!.

La pieza más extensa del álbum, poco más de diez minutos, se titula "Piano Textures2 VI". Una nostálgica melodía que nace en la zona alta del piano y que es acompañada por los delicados acordes de la mano izquierda. La ausencia de sintetizador de fondo da una agradable sensación de frescura, acentuando cada nota y acorde que Bruno arranca al piano. Un solo de piano perfecto para culminar este trabajo...
Además de ser mi preferida!. Asombroso track!.

Bruno ha conseguido crear la música ambiental perfecta, donde cada pieza puede unirse a la anterior, sin sobresaltos, procurando con celo que ninguna nota o sonido despunte sobre las demás, manteniendo una linealidad perfecta.
Un álbum apto para lograr alcanzar la inspiración artística o para, simplemente, realizar tareas en las que se necesite un silencio absoluto y que bien podrían acompañarse con este fascinante trabajo. Piano Textures 2 es un álbum muy recomendado y está disponible en:

Amazon
CDBaby
iTunes