Eric Celerio turns feelings and memories into ‘Piano Reflections’

Moving images are the core of any film. They make the audience understand the narrative they collectively tell. Music, yes, devoid of words and lyrics, engages the listener in its slow, fast, dance or fun movement, created and set by a motif, a theme and an idea.

Essentially, music notes carry the unfolding story in such an artistic endeavor.

And the US-based Eric Celerio, the son of National Artist for Music and Literature Levi Celerio, invites one to different stories and feelings being evoked in his new album titled “Piano Reflections.”

“I think, tinitignan ko, in general, ang mga ugali ng tao (I’m looking at people’s habits or behaviors). Merong in love, merong jealous, merong reminiscing from your parents, merong inspiration from having a kid (there’s the feeling of being in love or jealous. There’s reminiscing and being inspired by parenthood),” said he of the inspiration behind the all-original album, with an additional bonus track, released and distributed by Star Music, in a recent chat with The STAR.

“Merong kang inspiration having an influence from your grandma. Meron kang inspiration from the opposite love (there’s an inspiration from your loved ones). So, yun ang mga naging inspiration ko,” added he, who is also a songwriter and singer.

After composing and completing the pieces in “Piano Reflections,” the latter has become the follow-up work to previously released albums “Celerio Plays Celerio-Celerio by Celerio,” “I’m Forever Two” and “Ulap,” plus the practice aspect of every composition in it.

He used 12 keys in each track or composition, adding an insight that every key presents and represents an emotion or its expression, as one could glean from his thoughts.

“Nung bata kami, dini-divide kung sino ang mag-le-lessons ng piano, violin (growing up, me and my siblings were assigned to take up different musical instrument lessons),” recalled Eric about how his interest in playing piano was developed. “Napunta sa akin yung piano because nakita nila yung potential ko (the piano was given to me because they saw my potential in it).”

He had a sibling who played the violin, like their famous dad, who could also play music with a leaf. Their love for music was also nurtured by the generosity of their parents for giving them opportunities to be taught by professional artists and musicians.

Within a year of attending piano lessons, Eric could keep up with his teacher.

“So, nakita yung potential. So, pinagpatuloy (they saw my potential and I continued on),” shared he, who can also play the guitar. Eric has mastered the two instruments.

Regarding piano as his choice of musical instrument, he said, “I think because it’s an easy instrument. I find it easy because ang kanan at kaliwa sabay (both hands are used simultaneously).”

Eric also remembered that his dad was “super” encouraging and added that “nothing but music talaga ang growing up ko.” His grandfather was a composer, while an aunt was a pianist, who would sometimes accompany his dad in the latter’s performances.

“Bata pa lang ako na-e-express ko na sarili ko musically (as a child, I could express myself musically),” said he, who could capture mundane and commonplace feelings and situations back then through playing the piano. “That’s my language. In fact, I read notes before I read letters.”

So, his passion and enthusiasm for music are innate, and he’s a natural piano and guitar player, as one could gather by following his train of thought.

As to how he differentiates “Piano Reflections” from his past albums, he said, “Pop (the previous ones are pop). Parang Billy Joel and Paul McCartney (it seems like they can be compared to the ones made by Billy Joel and Paul McCartney). Ngayon, super concentrated on piano talaga (now, I really focused on the piano).”

Another idea behind the latest project, Eric said, is him having reached that “peak” stage.

“Dahil sa nag-pe-peak ako, gusto kong ma-record bago kalawangin na yung mga kamay (since I’m now peaking, I want to record before my hands get rusty). Kapag kinalawang, hindi mo na mauulit.”

Eric, who is fondly known to the Filipino community in New York as maestro, considers “Piano Reflections” personal. He also does covers.

The album features pieces such as Kind Heart, Dreaming, Nostalgic, Lights, Against The Wind, The Waltz, Memories, Short Images, Window (Ulap’s Adaptation), Free Spirit, The Long Walk, Peekaboo and Ragtime Etude (Bonus).

And hopefully, in his future or next visit in town, Eric will headline a showcase or share the center stage either with some of the country’s established artists like Nonoy Zuñiga and Bo Cerrudo or up-and-coming recording and music stars.

“And I wanna do a concert. Uuwi ako anytime (I will come home anytime),” said he. “That would have a lot of Levi Celerio songs.”

The album “Piano Reflections” is now available on streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube.