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Track List

1 The Ice That Breaks 04:17
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
2 The Secret of the Castle 07:28
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
3 Romance 04:05
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
4 A Swedish Fairy-tale 07:40
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
5 A Visit To Look Forward To 06:39
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
6 And She Appeared 09:32
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
7 Snapshots 03:21
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
8 Hymn of the Immortals 04:09
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
9 Muistoja Torkkelinmäeltä 04:04
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
10 A Farmer's Dream 08:21
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
11 Reverie 05:46
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
12 Kaféet 05:42
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
13 Relax in the Sun 06:43
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
14 Snapshots (Take 1) 03:54
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
15 The Ice That Breaks (Long Solo Piano Version) 05:59
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
16 A Swedish Fairy-tale (Take 2) 09:14
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)
17 The Ice That Breaks (Short Solo Piano Version) 01:47
    by Mika Pohjola (Mika Music)

Total Time: 98:41

About The Secret of the Castle

Here is a collection of songs by pianist and composer Mika Pohjola inspired by Charles Walton's 19th-century novel of the same name. The story follows three young men in Scotland whose lives are disrupted by a ghost that alters their personalities and relationships. As the narrative unfolds, the ghost is eventually captured in Edinburgh after a conspiracy led by a local farmer, bringing the story to its conclusion.

Recorded after the album Myths and Beliefs, the recording features Mika Pohjola with bassist Matt Penman, drummer Roberto Dani, and guest saxophonist Chris Cheek. By this stage, the trio had established a close musical collaboration through extensive touring in Europe and the United States. Shortly before this recording, the trio released the live album Live in New York, recorded at the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York. Chris Cheek later joined the group on Announcement and the live album English Breakfast, recorded at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.

The album consists entirely of original compositions by Mika Pohjola, drawing inspiration from the novel's characters and events while combining contemporary jazz with narrative and fairy-tale influences.

Credits

Mika Pohjola - piano & composer
Chris Cheek - saxophone
Matt Penman - bass
Roberto Dani - drums