Gurdjieff, born in Kaukasus at the boundary between Armenia and Turkey, developed a philosophical apprenticeship that melds the esoteric knowledge of the East and the scientific thinking of the West. As he traveled many years through Asia and the East, he gathered and recorded melody and ritual dances. His friend and student Thomas de Hartmann processed these to piano pieces. The pieces have a vocal style and are expertly transcribed to convey the mystery and beauty of the originals...The integration of Eastern and Western musical elements in these pieces will appeal to many pianists and create interest in the cultural backgrounds of the melodies.--Clavier