Harmony Grove is derived from my rural life experiences over the past year. Living in the pastoral countryside of Pennsylvania has brought great delight and pleasure to me. Songs such as Natures Fury, The Chicken Chase and Halfway There are musical interpretations of my immediate natural surrounding, from the henhouse out back to the Appalachian Trail nearby.

The compositions in the album "Harmony Grove" were motivated by two core things:   personal events over the past year and writing songs into which I could integrate new techniques I have been experimenting with. 

Overall, the year has brought a great deal of joy and some sorrow. 

The song First Light  is about the first light of dawn coming through our bedroom's 9 foot picture window, waking us to the day.  The Reluctant Ballerina was written about a timid, reluctant dancer coming into her own as the music sets her free, something which anyone with a true love for music can understand.  On a more somber note, the song Elementals was written as my mother's illness progressed to her passing away, and the song Rising expresses the peace and relief of her transition.  Nature's Fury is about an approaching  thunderstorm, expressing the feeling you get while looking at the ominous dark cloud in the distance and hearing the rumbling thunder and seeing the flash of lightning.  Last but not least,  The Chicken Chase paints a picture of our chickens as they scurry about, chasing each other for the tastiest morsels of food. 

1. Halfway There                   2:51
2.  Elementals                      4:05
3.  Rising                            3:29
4.  The Reluctant Ballerina    4:07
5.  September                    2:50
6.  Long Walk Home          3:27
7.  First Light                 4:30
8.  Harmony Grove           3:28
9.  Valentine                    4:04
10.  The Gift                      3:59
11.  Beneath the Sycamore     2:48
12.  Nature's Fury                   5:37
13.  The Chicken Chase             3:25

Available as Digital Download from CD Baby or iTunes,

(Royalty Free must buy through this website)

By Kathy Parsons, Mainly Piano:

"Harmony Grove" is Greg Maroney's fourth and most inspiring album to date of original piano solos. What a great album! Drawn from life experiences of the past year as well as interpretations of his natural surroundings in rural Pennsylvania, Maroney captures a full spectrum of emotions and musical colors, and presents them in an accessible form that deepens with each listening. Maroney has been studying the piano since he was five, and the naturalness of his playing comes from one who has such an intense and intimate relationship with the instrument that it is truly an extension of who he or she is.

"The Reluctant Ballerina" is one of my favorites. It tells about a timid ballerina who comes into her own as the music sets her free. The beautiful melody becomes more flowing as the dancer lets herself go, and it's easy to picture the shy dancer becoming one with the music and movement as she gets swept away, forgetting her inhibitions. "Elementals" was composed during the time of Maroney's mother's illness to her passing. Much darker in mood, I can imagine Maroney sitting at the piano late into the night, working through the tangle of emotions that fill a person at such a time. This is a passionate and very personal piece, and the emotions are clear. The next piece, "Rising," describes the relief and peace of his mother's transition. It is also somewhat darker than the other pieces, but there is a strong feeling of hope and celebration. "Long Walk Home" is a gorgeous piece. A bit melancholy and introspective, it is in no rush to go anywhere, and seems to be drinking in whatever it encounters along the way. "Beneath the Sycamore" is full of grace and longing, and could easily be a lovely movie theme. "Nature's Fury" is a powerful depiction of an approaching thunder storm. From watching the ominous black clouds to feeling a swirling wind to seeing the brilliant flash of lightning, this is a great piece! The closing track, "The Chicken Chase," is huge fun. Anyone who has experienced chickens scurrying around the yard looking for food can relate. I could also visualize children running after the chickens, trying to catch one, and laughing all the way. This piece must be exhilarating to play!

"Harmony Grove" is very highly recommended!

All music in this collection was composed and performed by Greg Maroney

Copyright©2003  Hen House Records