Pappas Music

Guitarist Steve Pappas’ Album Winter Passage is a re-imagined version of a previously released album, but I am so glad he presented this. There are eight wondrous story songs gifted to our imagination and it is quite an offering. For me, this is a classic example of winter music, melodic, flowing, chilly, and clear with a few snowflakes thrown in to the bargain. The title tune “Winter Passage” has all this and more, sounding like the anthem for winter. Delicate flute and gentle guitar are on friendly terms in this song. A brisk wind ushers in the tune “Refuge”. I was shocked by the sound of thunder, but the song, like the weather, crossed into a realm of calmness. Steve honors his loving wife on the tune, “Song For Mary”, but, given the circumstances one might consider her namesake as well. The final cut, “Springtide”, is played almost like a 17^th century fantasia. Great music that spans the season, and, a great album.   R.J. Lannan – The Sounding Board – http://www.zonemusicreporter.com/

Steve’s Latest CD Release

Chris- CD Baby

This entire cd is fantastic. I’m an elementary teacher and I’ve been playing Winter’s Passage every day in my classroom. It’s soothing, calming and serves a gentle background even while I’m teaching. Each selection seems to evoke an emotion and some of my students have even started to choose their favorite track.

Two pieces for solo guitar by Steve Pappas are welcomed additions to the classical guitar repertoire. La Noche Cai Suavemente and Lady Zoe’s Dance fit nicely into the repertoire for the intermediate level player. Steve makes use of his talents as a guitarist and teacher to create music that reflects his own musical style while using traditional form and harmony to produce approachable and enjoyable pieces,

La Noche Cai Suavemente opens with a lyrical style combined with traditional Spanish elements of half-step tension and resolution and the characteristic Phrygian cadence. A players musicianship can be expressed in the sixteen-eight (L’istesso tempo) measure through the groupings of twos and threes as well as in the cadenza-like section with it’s combination of descending melodic line and a bariolage on the open first string. The piece requires a player to have a working knowledge of codas and repeats.