PLATTSBURGH — George Cantin's got that loving feeling, and he's sharing it in "The Piano Stylings of George Cantin," a Sunday concert at the John XXIII College Community Parish here.
He explores the many moods of love — Mood of Discovery, Mood of Fascination, Mood of Hope, Mood of Intensity, Mood of Dreams and Mood of Forever — in popular songs from the 1930s to the 1960s.
This is a departure for the retired music educator and longtime church musician, whose repertoire leaned toward classical, children's and religious music.
Seven songs comprise each movement. Mood of Discovery includes "Almost Like Being in Love," "Somewhere My Love," "Dream a Little Dream of Me," "It's Only a Paper Moon," "Red Sails in the Sunset," "What Now My Love" and "More."
He ended up with five books with 45 pieces in each.
"Last winter, I got the idea of doing a compilation of all the ones that were my favorite," said Cantin, an Elizabethtown resident. "They ended up in groupings. I got the idea of giving them a little name. That's how it evolved."
During the concert, he will play the groupings seamlessly.
"I have talked to people in the recording world, and they said it sounds interesting ... an idea no one has ever happened upon," he said.
Cantin was at his keyboard so much, he decided to purchase a new 6-foot Yamaha grand piano.
"That led to the idea that maybe I will record this," he said.
He secured the services of T.J. White, who came to his home and recorded the disc.
"He set up the equipment on Monday morning," Cantin said. "We recorded most of Tuesday and Wednesday. I wasn't happy with one movement. First thing Thursday morning, we recorded that movement, and we were done."
Cantin wanted to burn a hundred copies to give to friends.
"Some people said, 'You should market it.'"
Before that can happen, royalties and copyright have to be sorted out.
"A friend of mine has done this before. She sent the information down to a person who works directly with the Library of Congress. It's been delayed. We still don't have a definitive answer on it," he said.
In the interim, audiences can enjoy Cantin's romantic music live.
He started on his musical journey as a lad of 8. He studied piano with Madeline Ryan. After high school, he studied at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. While learning to be a music educator, he learned different instruments, but his main instrument is the piano.
He taught music in public schools for 34 years at Brockport, Long Island, Lake Placid, Elizabethtown, Westport, Willsboro and Putnam. His last 12 years, he was employed by BOCES.
He has been a church organist for 38 years. He served 30 years at St. Agnes in Lake Placid before moving to St. John's in Plattsburgh.
"The Piano Stylings of George Cantin" is a great segue to Valentine's Day.
"A lot of the earlier songs I learned, I heard my mother singing them," he said.
Email Robin Caudell at: rcaudell@pressrepublican.com
Dwarfing Around With Ray Winstone
VH1's 'Single Ladies' Launches Season 2
RPatz Swaps Cullen for Cronenberg
Stars Crowd Red Carpet for AmfAR
Knick's Anthony on NY Life, Linsanity, New Role
Zefron Gets Eroticised
Kristen Stewart 'On the Road' to Cannes
Mads Mikkelsen on 'The Hunt' in Cannes
Brad Pitt Dispels Wedding Date Rumors at Cannes
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
ShowBiz Minute: Gibb, Billboard, Smith
Robin Gibb of Bee Gees Dies at 62
Raw Video: Will Smith Slaps Journalist
Wes Anderson Makes His Cannes Debut
Tony Nominee Josh Young on Judas Role in 'JCS'
Jaime King's Southern Belle Secrets
ShowBiz Minute: Summer, Gaga, Beckham
Fans Pay Tribute to Donna Summer
Glenn Frey on New Solo Record, Eagles
Disco Queen Donna Summer Dies at 63
