For his new album "TIME," Dirk Maassen retreated to an isolated mountain refuge, exploring solitude and calm to find his inner melody. For the German pianist and composer, the tranquility of body and mind has been the key to the realization of this album. "Working on new music requires time and space - and one must be patient and listen to oneself," he explains. A retreat in nature that has been beneficial for the creation of this album and has allowed him to open a new chapter in his development as a pianist and composer. He reveals to us: "Creativity does not arise from nothing, but sometimes one needs time and space to listen to their inner melody." The isolated environment in which Maassen worked fueled the fourteen tracks of "TIME," a sublime collection of modern piano compositions. Masterfully managing various atmospheres, Maassen offers music that ranges from sad, sweet melancholy to bright optimism. Entirely written and arranged by himself, he has added subtle orchestral touches to the sound of his piano. Yet his simple, touching piano lines with enchanting melodies always remain in the foreground. The first single "Time" provides an enigmatic feeling, underscored by the ticking of a clock as a rhythm. Wonderfully tense and poised, the plucked strings accentuate the ascending and descending lines of the piano. This track is matched by "Top," an upbeat piece where Maassen's piano gains intensity through repetitive arpeggios with hypnotic effects. Powerful and intense, this track proves to be the deepest piece on the album. Maassen is also fond of precise beauty and tranquil solitude. "Thru Landscapes" is slow and contemplative, with gentle crescendos that bloom before fading into nothingness. Intensely meditative, the track "Ethereal" lives up to its name. Elegant and magnificent, Maassen perfectly captures the majesty and awe of the mountains that inspired him.