Bernward Koch

Bernward Koch is a German composer, pianist and keyboardist. Additionally he plays percussion, bass, and guitar. His music mainly evokes a soothing and calming style, with a clearly recognizable melody from the piano, enriched with keyboards, flute, guitar,and percussion. His first release, 1989's Flowing, was successful, especially in the USA (and Asia),and achieved top positions on the Billboard New Age Chart. His tracks contributed to several US-Aids-benefit compilations among others together with Sting, Bonnie Raitt, Al Jarreau, Ottmar Liebert, Dave Grusin, Dave Stewart.

You've got to give New Ager, multi-instrumentalist Koch a lot of credit for keeping true to his original vision and not selling out while keeping his aim true as it ever was. A gentle set that celebrates living in the light, this almost one man band has developed a deeper feeling for tranquility over the years and makes it really shine here. A gentle set that is not twee, Koch opens the door to a new phase in his instrumental music career in fine form. Well done throughout. –Chris Spector, Midwest Record

Bernward Koch was born in January 1957 in Siegen/Westfalen, Germany. When he was 12 years, he started playing French Horn in the musical brass band of his village Wenden-Huensborn, but just a little bit later he changed to the trumpet “to be able to play more melodies”. Two years after he starts to be engaged in bass, guitar and drums. During that time he was playing in a beat-band. When he was 15 his father, an accordeon player, donated him a piano and he got his first piano lessons, but starts right now with improvisations and compositions, too.

Forest Bathing is an ancient Japanese tradition known as shinrin-yoku—the medicine of relaxing in a forest. Approached with presence, great restorative healing value for the mind and body can be induced, including lower blood pressure, reduced stress and anxiety and a stronger immune system. This music collection has been specifically curated for its compatibility with the cleansing resonance of trees and may be used at any time for relaxation and to simulate forest healing.

Piano Dreamers is a gentle, wistful, meditative collection of piano instrumentals performed by artists on the Real World new age label; each selection was composed by its performer.