The term ‘musical prodigy’ probably gets thrown around more than it merits, but in the case of Julian Abramo it is absolutely fitting, and still just barely captures his reservoir of talent and creative drive. At just 14 years old, he’s already released an album of original music (the glorious ‘My Bedroom‘ which somehow manages to transcend his short collection of years on this earth in scope and resonance) and started a website to capture his work.
I’ve had the privilege of knowing Julian since he was born, and watching him grow into a young person from a distance (and periodic summer visits) has been a joy. It’s also been an eye-opening experience where I continue to be impressed and astounded by how he lives so completely within the realm of music – playing, composing, listening and writing all flow from his creative vision. Such artistry is beautifully embodied by his first collection of songs, which finds his original compositions performed entirely by himself on piano, keyboard, and cello ~ even employing an old organ for one piece.
Such talent may be genetic, as he comes from two musically-gifted professors: my friends Missy and Joe. We go back many years, and lifelong friends are the best kind of friends. While they have focused on the academic aspects of music, Julian has thus far expressed his talents through performance and composition. It’s been apparent and a part of his life since before he started walking. I remember his parents telling me about how he was responding to sound and creating sound – with tapping and singing – and as he got older and better able to express himself, that inner call to a life of music got louder.
From a very young age, Julian was performing and involved in music in ways that most adults would find challenging. Having seen firsthand how he can take a piece of music and elevate it beyond what it was, I remain in awe of his musical prowess, and the way he hears things that so many of us simply can’t. The hidden talent of many amazing musicians is the ability to listen – it’s more than just hearing a song over and over; it’s absorbing and taking in a very specific and particular cadence of notes and sounds, of aurally sensing the texture and architecture of a piece, of feeling the intent and emotion behind a musical work. More than that, it’s about how to craft a work in a world where everyone thinks we’ve heard it all before. Just when you are being lulled into the languid piano meanderings of ‘A good day’, the dissonant chords of ‘I’m bored so I watch the sunrise’ creep in to challenge and lend tension to the proceedings.
‘My Bedroom’ has many such moments, conveying the undulating moods of life through a fourteen-year-old’s windows and walls, somehow capturing what he feels and hears and sees, then transmitting them through musical ruminations both beautiful and moving. Each song becomes something meaningful in myriad ways to different listeners, which is the wonder and magic of well-crafted music.
Julian’s own notes on the tracks of ‘My Bedroom’ are below. Listen/stream the album here, and check out all of his media links here.
1. walking outside
This piece is great to kick off the album. It creates a happy, exciting, and friendly feel. It feels welcoming and sweet. The peaceful energy to this piece makes it feel as if you are walking outside on a green day. As exciting and complex as this piece sounds, it only uses one instrument, the Cello. Played by pizzicato, staccato rhythms, and legato melody and harmony lines, the cello can create a wonderful piece alone.
2. a good day
Similar to the previous piece, this one has a happy, and bright feel to it. It gives off a positive energy. The rhythmic, major piano lines give this piece energy and enthusiasm. The higher, more lighter parts give this piece character, in a way to show how it is important to appreciate the good days we have, because you never know when, or how much we get them.
3. pure city
There is nothing like a wonderful day in the city. Seeing all different kinds of people, looking at amazing buildings, and so much more. There is something in the air. Something pure, and loveful. This piano
piece represents the pureful, peaceful air in the city.
4. i’m bored so i watch the sunrise
Boredom is something that can be extremely frustrating. Not knowing what to do gets me all wound up. If I’m bored, and up early, sometimes I’ll look out my window next to my bed, and slowly watch the sunrise come to life. With patience and an open mind, it’s something so beautiful to see. The colors
slowly lighting as day starts once again. The birds come out and sing to one another. This piece represents the slow growth of the sunrise. It’s something to admire, and something to experience.
5. saturday morning
Waking up on a weekend morning to a bright sun beaming through the windows is a relaxing thought. It’s just you, in your room, not having to go anywhere. There’s a loneliness to it, but in a positive way. This piece shows that feeling of being alone, peacefully.
6. i wish to daydream
Stimulation around us can make us feel stressed, and overwhelmed. Sometimes, I wish that I could just stop, and take my mind elsewhere. In this piece, It makes you daydream, zone out, and think about your own thoughts that your brain takes you.
7. our story
There are many different people you meet in your life. Some are good, some are bad. Some
are good at first, but then it goes downhill. Whatever it may be, you share a story with them. Whether it’s over, or it is still in the making, there’s always that story or memory with you and that person. For me, this piece represents a friendly, loving story. The far away piano makes me feel lonely, but also
happy. But that doesn’t matter. It is up to you to make it feel like your own story.
8. my own party
It feels that life has a set of rules and expectations. Whether it may be how you dress, how much money you have, the color of your skin, who you love; the list goes on. It can be extremely hard to follow the rules. In this piece, I wanted to set up my own party, where I make the rules, not listening to anyone else. This piece gives a feeling of isolation, and dread. It shows how people can feel in today’s society.
9. the past’s future
I saw an old pump organ in the corner of my grandma’s den, and I wanted to check it out. It was extremely out of tune, and it made a lot of creaks, but to me, that made it even better. After years of this instrument in silence, I brang it to life. The creaks, accidentals, and out of tune notes give this piece an old feel, but also very futuristic at the same time, almost like it’s the past’s future.
10. a peaceful dream
Dreams are something so fascinating, and so unreal. No one knows what they really are. Dreams are always weird stories that never make sense. This piece creates a dreamy atmosphere, with the pitch bends, old style chord progressions, and nostalgia.
11. a distant memory
Memories. A powerful and important thing we all have. It is what shapes the purpose of our lives. Whether negative or positive, there is always beautifulness in the memories we collect. However, sometimes our brains get fogged up. We end up losing the memories we wish we could get back. Sometimes these lost memories are still partly alive. We can still remember a piece of it, just enough to keep us holding onto it. These memories are a full story that is waiting to be told, or perhaps they’re missing pages in a book. This piece represents the distant memories we partly have.
12. sunlight at midnight
Picture yourself alone in a huge cathedral with high ceilings that touch the sky. The beautiful artwork and architecture fills the room with magic. A stained glass window is shining in all different colors. In the front of the room, a huge choir is performing a peaceful, magical piece. Even though it is dark, the enchantment lights up the room. This piece is a great way to end the album in remembrance. I hope you enjoyed this album.
