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The KeyDragon - Ron Langford - has finished his third
solo piano pieces album entitled - Dragon Pond. This album
contains all original music by Ron Langford with the exception of one
piece. Ron has decided to memorize and put on this album Mozart's
first piece ever! Mozart's' Dad and sister always lied about
Mozart's true age. They said he wrote this when he was 5 years old
but experts say that he probably wrote this piece when he was around 7
years old.
Ron Langford has been studying and playing the piano for over 20
years. He has studied the classical era, modern classical
(contemporary) and alternative forms of classical piano artistry. He
has had a wide range of instruction from blues, rock, classical - to
new age, alternative, and progressive. He went to college as a piano
major but ended up with a B.A. in Psychology and a M.S. in Special
Education.
Currently, Ron works as a 6-8th grade SDC teacher in California. He
plays in recitals and holds concerts around California. Ron Langford
tends to write new music but will carry a few favorites within his
repertoire. He is currently working on a third album of classical,
solo piano pieces in Grass Valley, California. |
 Current
Reviews:
KeyDragon - Solo Piano Pieces (2002)Self-released
Do you consider KeyDragon a gothic metal band having five
albums released so far? Yes, it is exactly so, however its main
character is G. Ron Langford Jr. who was responsible for vocal
parts on first four CDs. But he is chiefly a keyboardist and
pianist fascinated by dragons, that's why he called himself
KeyDragon. Mr. Langford cooperated with many bands like Don't
Walk, Body Pyle, The Cool Band, 9th Wave, Dry Rot, Decreation,
Execution and Aftershock. KeyDragon released his first solo CD in
the year 2002.
"Solo Piano Pieces" is a special album, since it was
performed on a 1918 Chilton Upright Grand Piano. You will be
convinced that the instrument has its unique sound and finally
stood the test of time. If you suffer from a dearth of silence,
and metal music seems to be nerve-wracking, KeyDragon comes with a
relief. I kid you not! If you are poised for absolutely different
genre, you shouldn't be disappointed. It is distantly located from
metal music. The stuff is lenient and positively infused. We can
consider it easy-listening, yet ambitious piano music with several
classical references which are ably customized and precisely
captured by Ron Langford. Thus, here are the likes of Johann
Sebastian Bach's "Allegro in B", Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Minuet
in F", Ludwig van Beethoven's "Für Elise" and an old French dance
played in quadruple time - Georg Friedrich Handel's "Gavotte".
"Solo Piano Pieces" is distinguished by manifold shades and
various colours included in classical covers and original
compositions, being also full of subtlety and nobleness.
At the very end, I admit that I don't believe in so-called
suck up loyalty to one style only. I am not a worshiper of one or
two genres. I love music in general. Ron managed to learn us
consider him both classical and metal musician. An instrumental
piano music isn't a hurdle for me. It hinges on you, Dear Readers,
if you will enjoy it or not.
by Nicolo of the Department of Virtuosity
KeyDragon - Jonquils & Daffodils (2005)Self-released
Aforesaid flower-titled album is the second item in Ron
Langford's solo discography. I observed that many musicians shelve
their music differing from what they ususally compose and play,
and I think that it is a fundamental fault. Some of them are
afraid of negative ractions from their orthodox fans, and, as a
result, they are constrained and locked in one genre. Let's look
at Alex Skolnick who can play thrash metal and jazz, then Marcus
Rosen who plays heavy metal and jazz/fusion, Vitalij Kuprij who is
a classical pianist and progressive neoclassical keyboard hotshot.
The examples can be multiplied, but the fact is Ron can also play
gothic metal and classical music with no prejudices to other
genres.
"Jonquils & Daffodils" is its best proof. The music is bit
mysterious, bit romantic and multi-coloured and, as always,
classicaly inspired. Thus, we have got Georg Friedrich Handel's "Saraband"
and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Allegro in B flat Major", but also
an American movie and TV composer - Henry Mancini's Pink Panther"
and a Hungarian romanticist - Stephen Heller's "An Old Romance".
This item, as a continuation of the debut, proves his stature as a
classical musician who doesn't confine his abilities, but explores
his talents thoroughly. His unusual skills are undisputed indeed.
To recap my revelations, I admit that I listened to "Jonquils &
Daffodils" considerately.
by Nicolo of the Department of Virtuosity
KeyDragon - Dragon Pond (2007)Self-released
This is the third solo album by American instrumentalist Ron
Langford performed on a 1918 Chilton upright grand piano. Even
though he presents his classical face with the stuff, he is rock
and metal musician as well. "Dragon Pond" is a CD filled with
bleak and minor instrumental music. First two compositions sound
like a two-part funeral march with mysterious and bit depressing
rhythms. Then there is a little revival when tones start to be
brighter and more vivid. One of the most coarse tracks is "Menuet
and Trio" strongly inspired by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's music.
He isn't an usual drudge, but he puts his heart and soul into
all tones and plays out every single score with a great load of
emotions. Ron's music drives like a calm stream and acts like a
quiet pond. It allows us to calm and muffle in today's
fast-driven world. I think that his music can bring us closer to
nature we are used not to spot being lost in a daily routines.
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Dragon Pond is the third solo piano pieces album by Ron Langford
Jonquils & Daffodils is the second solo piano pieces album by
Ron Langford
Click to order!
Solo Piano Pieces is the first solo piano pieces album by Ron
Langford
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Classical/Contemporary Solo
Piano Music
Click to order! |
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KeyDragon - Solo Piano Pieces by Ron Langford
