Instrumental music is a truly magical language. It can tell a story, comfort the soul, stimulate the intellect and create pictures in the mind. And all without a single word being uttered.

Felix Mendelssohn probably said it best.-“People usually complain that (instrumental) music is so ambiguous, while words are understood by everyone. But for me it is exactly the opposite...what the music I love expresses to me are thoughts not too indefinite for words, but rather too definite.”

And from Carlos Santana -“I realised a long time ago that instrumental music speaks a lot more clearly than English, Spanish, Yiddish, Swahili, any other language. Pure melody goes outside time.”

I'm a pianist, guitarist, arranger and composer of instrumental songs. Using topical and universal themes, I try to inject a sense of poetry and imagery into my music. My genre has been described as modern hybrid chamber music, created for a mixed acoustic and electronic ensemble from classical, electronica and jazz blues influences.

This web site is my "living album", I sincerely hope it brings pleasure to your life.

Robert Cook Sier

Time for an album? 

After several years of experimenting with various singles and videos, I'm finally considering putting together an album of the best of these tracks and some new material. With the benefit of experience and hindsight, many of my existing tracks will be reworked for the album.

At this stage I'm only planning for a digital release, but please do let me know if you'd be interested in a CD or USB physical release. Thanks again to everyone for your ongoing support and encouragement! RCS

June Release - "Old Town" 

Just dropping in say thanks for the kind feedback about my version of Für Elise. Tackling such an iconic piece of music always creates a lot of anxiety! I have a new original track Old Town in the works for release in June, and have started working on some production music opportunities to supplement my very personal music here on this website.

A big thank you to Francisco from Madrid who is featuring Through the Ages in a Spanish speleology video clip commemorating "The International Year of the Karst and the Caves"!

RCS

"To the lounge Elise!" 

Just a quick update to let you know I'm currently working on an interpretation of Beethoven's iconic Fur Elise, due for release in early April.

Thanks to everyone who has enjoyed my latest track From a Railway Carriage, and apologies for uploading the video again to YouTube (I noticed a frame problem half way through the video). Many people have commented on its "Downton Abbey" flavour, which isn't surprising given it's also a period piece. Stay tuned and please feel free to get in touch! RCS

A new track on the way! 

Due for release here on Sunday Feb 14th, my next track is possibly the result of watching too many historical Euro drama series during 2020. It shares its name with a Robert Louis Stevenson poem, From a Railway Carriage.

Following the ongoing success of Air on a Canon (Pachelbel), I'd also like to release another classical cover track this year. If you have any suggestions please do drop me a note on my Contact page. RCS

Best wishes for 2021! 

I've received a lot of kind feedback about Keep Walking in recent weeks and decided to make it my featured track to start 2021. It also seems especially relevant at this time. I'm working on a new track for next month and will update everyone in coming weeks. Very best wishes for a safe and happy 2021. RCS

December single release "Siete" 

My new track Siete (Seven) is in its final stages of production and will be available here from December 1st. It has a Latin jazz-pop vibe, hence the Spanish name, and I thought it was time for something fun and uplifting. It also has overlapping time signatures (for the music nerds!) and was a LOT of fun to write.

Step by step I'm starting to get some traction with your help, so thanks as always for your support and encouragement. I can't wait for the day when I can afford to video a "live" studio performance of some of these tracks. Your downloads from my web site, your YouTube views and subscriptions and your Spotify streams all help and are much appreciated. Best wishes wherever you are in these challenging times. RCS

October single release "Florescence" 

Due for release on October 1st is my new track Florescence. I've uploaded the audio and YouTube video for anyone who would like a preview before the track becomes widely available through digital outlets in coming days (there may be a delay due to COVID). I hope it provides people with a lift in these challenging times.

Thanks for your ongoing support and encouragement. Air on a Canon (Pachelbel) is now approaching 50,000 views on YouTube with very little promotion, and has received some extremely generous and kind comments! RCS

 

Electric Chamber Orchestra - morning (opus one) 

Updated post from 2015 - By popular request I've added this treasured piece of my history to the site. This jazz-rock-classical fusion album released originally by Warner Bros in 1988 (and remastered in 2004) can be accessed here. I've also made the album available for digital download (again!) at the usual outlets (Amazon, Apple, Google).. RCS

What next? 

I'd like to start this post by thanking everyone who has supported my recent Air on a Canon (Pachelbel) release, the response and feedback has been fantastic and so very much appreciated!

I'm now torn between finishing a new original track I've been working on, or following up my Pachelbel Canon interpretation with another classic. Fur Elise and a few of JS.Bach's iconic compositions are being considered, but please feel free to contact me via my Contact page (or reply to this post) if you have any suggestions.

Thanks as always for your support and encouragement, especially in these very challenging times.

RCS