Born in Prague, Czech Republic, and now based in Vancouver, Canada, pianist and composer Martin Mayer has long been celebrated for his cinematic approach to neoclassical and new age piano music. With his latest release, ‘The Solo Piano Collection,’ Mayer transforms personal adversity into musical poetry — a testament to resilience, artistry, and the healing power of creation.
The album gathers Mayer’s most intimate and evocative piano compositions, written over three decades of his life and career. Each of the sixteen original works captures a defining moment: tributes to loved ones, reflections on his homeland, and celebrations of recovery and new beginnings.
Among the highlights is the poignant ‘Heart of an Angel,’ featuring Grammy Award-winning violinist Charlie Bisharat. Written as a tribute to Mayer’s late mother, the piece radiates warmth and cinematic depth, bridging classical crossover with lyrical emotion.
For Mayer, ‘The Solo Piano Collection’ is more than a career milestone — it is a return to life itself. Five years ago, an on-tour accident left him with debilitating injuries to both hands. The recovery process spanned over four years, 233 medical appointments, and one major surgery. At the height of his struggle, he endured trauma, depression, and loss of identity. And yet, through perseverance and music, he found his way back to the piano.
Listen on Spotify here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/6fvjNCt1K9BRV6WNidJGcu?si=5MSE-EEyTJKqS4p0fRJBHw&nd=1&dlsi=ccfc2405ab7a411a
“When I woke up unable to move my hands, I thought my story as a pianist was over,” Mayer shared in his reflections. “But music became my therapy. Writing again was the only way forward.”
His recovery marked a new creative awakening. The compositions in ‘The Solo Piano Collection’ mirror that emotional arc — from darkness to light, from isolation to reconnection. Tracks like ‘New Beginnings’ and ‘Summon the Heroes’ embody the spirit of gratitude and perseverance that carried him through recovery.
Accompanying the album is a meticulously designed sheet music book of the same name, notated to reflect Mayer’s precise performance phrasing and dynamics. For pianists, it offers a rare opportunity to experience his work exactly as he plays it — a living blueprint of expression and touch.
Every element of the book — from the FAZIOLI grand piano photography to the engraved notation — speaks to Mayer’s perfectionism and his belief that music should be both accessible and profound. “When I was younger, I often found a gap between recorded music and what I saw on the page,” he notes. “I wanted to create a collection that feels alive in both worlds.”
Pieces such as ‘Prague Sunrise’ and ‘In the Arches of St. Vitus’ reflect Mayer’s deep connection to his homeland, while ‘Sun Moon Lake’ and ‘Positano’ evoke the global landscapes that have inspired his concert tours. This is music written by an artist who has truly lived — who has turned recovery into rhythm and vulnerability into virtuosity.
With ‘The Solo Piano Collection,’ Martin Mayer redefines the intersection of neoclassical composition and personal storytelling. It stands as both a love letter to the piano and a testament to the human spirit — music that transcends injury, silence, and time itself.
https://www.martinmayermusic.com