Magdi Aboul-Kheir – “The Piano Has Been Dreaming”

Magdi Aboul-Kheir’s The Piano Has Been Dreaming is one of those short albums that settles in quietly and stays with you. It runs about half an hour across eight miniatures, but it never comes off slight. The mix of felt pianos and grand piano gives the record a soft, close sound, and every piece seems placed with real care. The mood is intimate and reflective, touching on affection, closeness, loss, grief, letting go, and love without ever pushing too hard. When you start listening to this beautiful album, you notice that each note matters and that restraint gives the album a strong emotional pull. My favorite pieces are “Echoes of Tenderness” and “Last Light and Fading Thoughts”.

I also really enjoyed how approachable it is. Even when the music turns inward, the melodic side keeps it open and easy to connect with and there is a lot of craft here, but it never gets stiff or overly formal. It simply sounds like a pianist and composer who knows how to shape a mood and let it breathe. For me, that balance is the best part. I came away from The Piano Has Been Dreaming genuinely moved, and I can see myself putting it on again when I want something calm, thoughtful, and beautifully put together.

I’d definitely recommend checking out Magdi’s previous releases too, especially if you want to hear the range in his work. Follow him and keep up with where he goes next, because I think this album is a lovely one.