Expanding the scope and repertoire of his previous holiday recording, Kater is joined here by a violin, sax and flute on six traditional and four original Kater compositions, making for another classic recording.
Peter Kater is a prolific pianist and composer known for his scores for television, film, and theater, as well as for his own recordings of light jazz and instrumental new age music. He became widely established in the 1980s and '90s, recording numerous albums for the Colorado-based Silver Wave label, several of which were acclaimed collaborations with Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai.
Migration seems almost capable of sweeping away any sense of trouble, and soothing out any fears. The music on the album is basically of an improvisational nature, with pianist Kater and flautist Nakai developing themes and ideas that were then fleshed out in the process of recording. The music was conceived originally as a foundation for personal ritual; in the thematic development that followed, the scope of the music was widened to include spiritual growth as well, hence the title and direction of the tracks. The root of the music continues to be Kater's gentle piano constructions coupled with Nakai's Native American flutes, whistles and low-key chanting and humming; other instruments are built into this foundation, strengthening the whole rather than indulging in arrangement for the sake of it - there's no apparent attempt to impress with musical trickery here…
Pianist Peter Kater has orchestrated a gentle, introspective series of ambient chamber works dedicated to the four elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Each CD is distinctive, with Water living up to its title by being the most free-flowing of them all. Using long, pensive pauses and melodies that elongate over time, the music borders on classical–often echoing classical themes, such as the Satie-like ostinato of "Water Ballet," without overtly lifting from them. Water comes close to the painfully serene sound you might associate with Arvo Pärt.