Site Title
TRANQUIL TIMES
Relaxation • New Age • Ambient
About Tranquil Times . . .
Winner of the 13th annual Independent Music Award for Best New Age Album, Darlene’s first piano-based instrumental album, Tranquil Times, is the eighth she produced on her TimeArt label. Known for her angelic Grammy-winning voice and many award-winning albums, Darlene spotlights her skills as a pianist, composer, arranger and has guest live New Age musicians, flautist Courtney Jacob (tk 5&7) and guitarist Mike Miller (tk 1&7), on two tracks each. There are no vocals! Suitable for relaxing moments of any kind, the eight tracks include five melodic songs, tastefully orchestrated, and three tracks with more atmospheric ambience. Most tracks are playing in music therapy sound systems in hospitals and hospices on the CARE Channel nationwide. Seven are original and one is Darlene’s gorgeous arrangement of the Celtic favorite, “Greensleeves” in a new meter. The albums opens with “Lucid See,” Nominated Best New Age Song 2011 by the Independent Music Awards, and takes us on a blissful, peaceful, journey from there. “Hypogeum” was named after the Hypogeum Oracle Chamber in Malta and the overall key of the piece, (A) and the opening piano note is the same ‘A’ - 110Hz frequency of the chamber the ancient Maltese used for trance and healing. Darlene plays her quartz crystal singing bowls on this track and two others. On a few songs, Darlene arranges the piano in the secondary role as a woodwind instrument takes the melody, all for the musical interest of the listener.Tranquil Times went #1 on the ZMR Radio Charts in March, 2014 after debuting #2 on the February, Charts. On OneWorldRadio.com, listeners voted it #1 for March in Europe and #2 in the USA. 2/15/2015 brought a Nomination from Broadcasters Worldwide for Best Piano Album with Instrumentation. In 2019 it took a Bronze Medal Iconic Music in the COVR Visionary Music Awards
Bronze WINNER!!!
Best Iconic Music
- COVR Awards 2019
Playing on The CARE Channel and the Relax with C.A.R.E. App for everyone. The #1 nature and music programming channel used within clinical settings now in an app for everyone...Watch HERE.
WINNER!!!
Best New Age Album
- Independent Music Awards 2013/2014
NOMINATED Best Piano Album w/Instrumentation
by Broadcasters Worldwide (2/15/2015)
Music Videos
Album Reviews
"Darlene Koldenhoven's passionate creativity is magical and spellbinding. Listen and you will find yourself floating among rich and brilliant aural hues."
— Brent Fischer
- Grammy®-winning Producer, Arranger
(Michael Jackson, Usher, Al Jarreau et al)
"Darlene Koldenhoven's exquisite "Tranquil Times" is the perfect antidote for a stressful day. Graceful melodies, liquid sonorities and delicate pianistics highlight this newest work from LA's most creative and versatile New Age artist."
–Brad Cole, Keyboardist - Phil Collins 1/9/2014
"Darlene's music will take you on a journey that won't soon be forgotten. Her music touches a place deep within, and brings us sweet moments of peace and joy. More, please!"
–Jeff Oster,
ZMR Album of the Year
multiple Winner, 1/12/14
"Acclaimed vocalist Darlene Koldenhoven's lovely voice goes silent on her latest album, Tranquil Times, replaced by piano and assorted keyboards wielded with poetic artistry and technical wizardry..." Full Review
-Bill Binkelman
ZMR Reviewer
"...Eight seems to be the magic number here, with Tranquil Times being Darlene’s eighth album on her TimeArt record label, and it containing eight songs, including seven original compositions, as well as a stunning rendition of the classic “Greensleeves.” Interestingly, the recording opens with a reprisal of “Lucid See,” a track from her Solitary Treasures CD, which was nominated “Best New Age Song 2011″ by The Independent Music Awards. Previously, it was the lone instrumental track on that otherwise vocal album..." Full Review
-Michael Diamond
Music and Media Focus
11/17/2013
"...Koldenhoven is taking her music into new territory rather than sticking to the tried and true. Seven of the eight compositions on Tranquil Times are original, and the styles range from melodic to ambient space music, again demonstrating her versatility and creativity as an artist..." Full Review
-Kathy Parson
MainlyPiano.com
12/29/13
"...wonderful to write to, the flowing sounds crafting a marvelous backdrop in which to create. With original works and arrangements, this album is auditory nirvana. I highly recommend it...." Full Review
–Dana Wright
New Age Reviews 1/15/14
"...Tranquil Times is an album that ticks all the boxes of what could in years to come be regarded as a top rated contemporary instrumental album of its time and I will fall over backwards in shock..." Full Review
- Steve Sheppard
One World Music, England
2/2/2014
Here is a true example of an extraordinary, wonderfully beautiful album created by a real master embroiderer of soulful warmth and universal harmony.
- Sergey
Ascentor, Russia 1/31/2014
"I give Darlene & her guests a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98." Full Review
- Rotcod Zzaj
Improvijazzation Nation Magazine
3/4/14
"Tranquil Times" is a lovely set of instrumental tracks, beautifully performed. Enjoy!"
- Lee Armstrong
Amazon Review
3/16/14
Koldenhoven's lyrical compositions are just heavenly, brought to life beautifully by Koldenhoven's graceful touch on piano and synthesizer." Full Review
- Raj Manoharan
RajmanReviews Blogspot
8/31/14
Buy Tranquil Times
Physical CD $9.99
All Songs by
Darlene Koldenhoven
©2013 DarSongs Music, ASCAP
Darlene Koldenhoven: Producer, Composer, Pianist, Arranger, Orchestrator, Crystal Singing Bowls #1, 4, 8, Synthesist, Programmer, Engineer, Cover Photo & Graphics.
Steve Shepherd: Engineer, Mixing, Mastering.
Relaxation
New Age
Ambient
Easy Listening
New Age Piano
Cinematic
Released 9/6/2013
TimeArt D10909
UPC 7-65181-10930-9
ISBN 978-0-9789562-9-5