Rubén Pascottini -

Remember When

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 21:43:20 +0000

Remember When

The songs selected for this CD were used as the main theme for either a movie or a famous show tune. These pieces date from around 1863 with “La Paloma,” one of the most popular songs ever written, to 2010 with “Up,” Academy Award winner for best original score.

It is my hope that this album will help you Remember When (and where) you were when these melodies touched your life; it will be a different time and place for each of us, but hopefully will evoke memories of where and when these melodies first spoke to us.

From Me To You

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 21:43:20 +0000

As many of you may recall, I arrived in the United States in 1989 from Asunción, Paraguay. Initially, I came to study English in a special language program at a large university and was only to stay for four months. However, after receiving a music scholarship I ended up studying piano performance at the University of Kansas. My passion for music and playing before an audience brought me to the point at which I began recording.

People always seem to have a favorite song they like to hear. From Me To You is a special collection of your favorite requests from the evenings we have shared together recorded in a continuous format. This album features among others, Broadway hits, movie soundtracks and what may be the most romantic expression of Latin-style music, the "Bolero." I have also included an original piece, entitled "My Angel," because I feel my angel is with me through life's trying times. From Me To You is my response to your personal favorites. I hope you enjoy!

Track List

Reflections on Flora & Fauna

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 21:43:20 +0000

I have always been captivated by music. When I was four, I started playing the piano by ear while listening to my father's folk records. Being born in Asunción, Paraguay's capital, I was influenced by many different styles of music; music not only from Paraguay and neighboring Latin countries, but also from the U.S.A.

This collection includes two Latin American songs. The first, Recuerdos de Ipacaraí, is about a love affair which takes place near a scenic lake in Paraguay. The title means souvenirs of Ipacaraí, which is the name of the lake. In Paraguay, we speak two languages. Spanish, of course, but also Guaraní, which is our native language. Ipacaraí is a Guaraní name.

The second Latin American song is Piel Canela, and features the upbeat Bolero-Guaracha rhythm. Literally translated the title means Cinnamon Skin. The lyrics proclaim undying love for another.

I first came to hte U.S.A. in 1989 to participate in a special English language course at a large university in the Midwest. I was to stay for only four months, but during that time I received a piano scholarship and remained in the United States to study music.

I found work playing in local restaurants. I was fascinated with music from American movies even while living in Paraguay. Most of hte movies we see in Paraguay are American, and songs form the soundtracks are often played on the radio. I learned many of these and found that restaurant guests enjoyed listening to them.

One of my favorites is Somewhere in Time, from the movie featuring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. It is a very sad song. I cried during the movie when they played this song after Reeve lost Seymour. But it is also my lucky song. I played it at one of my first restaurant auditions and was hired the next day.

Call Me from Richard Gere's movie, American Gigolo, is another one of my favorites. Who can forget the begninning of the film when Gere drives his red convertible to this music? I have always wanted a red convertible.

Before coming to America I was not very familiar with Broadway show tunes, but frequent requests for these songs helped me to learn more of them. I play three selections from the Phantom of the Opera. These are Phantom of the Opera, Think of Me, and All I Ask of You. People really like these songs - sometimes I have to play the PHantom three or four times in a single night.

When I started out on my own after completing my degree in music, I was very lonely. I was living in an apartment and thought about getting a cat because they are easy to take care of. But I had a boxer in Paraguay who I missed very much. So instead of a cat, I got twin boxers. I named one Flora because that was the name of one of the first boxers ever brought to America. Fauna was the perfect name for her sister.

In January 1996, circumstances were forcing me to give up Flora and Fauna. This was a very sad time in my life. I composed Reflections on Flora and Fauna while I thought about parting with my dogs. But this story has a happy ending. Instead of parting with my dogs, I parted with my roommate.

Track Listing:

Kansas City Christmas

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 21:43:20 +0000

This special Christmas collection is dedicated to celebrating the birth of Jesus and the life given to us.

Track List