STEFAN LOVIN's Latest Album Is A Thoughtful Gem

The Romanian pianist and composer Stefan Lovin delivers a mesmerizing fusion of heritage and innovation with his latest solo piano album "Heaven Shines Like Silver",  which was released late last month via Protomaterial Records.

Recorded live in the resonant acoustics of Auditori Josep Carreras in Vila-seca, Catalonia, this 57-minute collection reimagines traditional Romanian folk melodies through the lens of jazz fusion, free improvisation, and progressive world music — a bold evolution from Lovin's earlier explorations in prepared piano and orchestral jazz.

Lovin's approach is deeply personal: each piece begins with the earthy, evocative essence of Romanian folk traditions — festive rhythms, melancholic scales, and cultural rituals like New Year's carols or sacred hymns — before unfolding into expansive improvisational territories. Tracks draw from pre-release singles such as "Romanian New Year's Carol" and "Tantum Ergo," blending lively, celebratory pulses with introspective depth.

The title evokes a shimmering celestial beauty, mirrored in Lovin's playing: notes cascade like silver light, alternating between structured elegance and spontaneous, free-flowing passages that feel both grounded in ancestral soil and reaching toward boundless horizons. His distinctive touch shines throughout — technically precise yet intuitively emotional, allowing melodies to breathe and evolve organically. The high-resolution recording captures every nuance: the warmth of sustained pedals, subtle dynamic shifts, and the natural reverb of the hall, creating an intimate yet expansive soundscape.

Influences from Keith Jarrett's improvisational lyricism meet the ethnic introspection of artists like Anouar Brahem, but Lovin's voice remains uniquely his own, honouring tradition while pushing it into contemporary realms.

In a year rich with genre-blending releases, "Heaven Shines Like Silver" stands as a thoughtful, restorative gem — perfect for contemplative listening, evoking twilight reflections or cultural reconnection. This release is essential for fans of solo piano improvisation and world fusion. Let it shimmer through your speakers.