Gerard O’Donnell, the acclaimed composer and classically trained concert pianist, is set to release his latest single, “Solstice,” on June 20th. A graduate of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, O’Donnell’s compositions are deeply rooted in the rich tradition of Irish storytelling, blending classical elegance with pagan fervor to create a sound that is both timeless and transcendent.
“Solstice” is a highly evocative and emotionally charged instrumental track that reaffirms O’Donnell’s position as both a masterful pianist and a torchbearer for the importance of narrative in music. Drawing on his unique ability to create urgent melodies and poignant harmonies, O’Donnell invites listeners on a journey, where each note serves as a brushstroke in a larger musical landscape.
While “Solstice” presents as a standalone piece, it is also a pivotal moment within a larger work of musical storytelling that O’Donnell is meticulously crafting. This body of work, which includes both instrumental compositions and poignant songs such as the recently released “The Secret Kissing of the Sun and the Moon,” invites listeners to immerse themselves in a world where sound and story intertwine.
On the song, Gerard says:
“Opening the piano to write Solstice was like lifting the lid of a chest of sound from where a whole tapestry began to unravel before me. It was written in the wild of night, following unquiet conversations and from that place where there is only music, where there is always music. It led me as much as I crafted it.”
With “Solstice,” Gerard O’Donnell continues to push the boundaries of what instrumental music can achieve, inviting listeners to experience the power of storytelling through sound. “Solstice” will be available on all major streaming platforms on June 20th.
Accolades
“At once devastatingly delicate and emotionally unbridled, in Solstice, O’Donnell brings us through a classical cannon to something primal, alive, immense. It is real piano for unreal times.” – Alberto Vázquez, veteran stage and television actor.
“Solstice is both strange and beautiful, each phrase opening new sensations.” – Daniel Freire, actor
