Peter Manning Robinson Released New Single, Pure Heartbreak, And Cinematic Music Video

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Peter Manning Robinson released his raw, heart-wrenching new classical single, Pure Heartbreak, —a stunning solo piano meditation on breakup and loss—paired with a breathtaking cinematic music video set in the California desert.

Grammy Award-winning and multi-BMI Award-winning composer Peter Manning Robinson, a Los Angeles-based pianist, has unveiled his latest work: the new classical single “Pure Heartbreak,” accompanied by a striking cinematic music video. This release serves as the lead single from his upcoming neo-classical album Excursions, marking a poignant return to solo acoustic piano.

A Raw Exploration of Loss and Separation

“Pure Heartbreak” stands as a deeply emotional meditation on the pain of heartbreak following a breakup. The piece captures the turbulent emotional landscape of separation through its melancholic yet beautiful piano keys. The melody unfolds with raw honesty, tracing the highs and lows of grief in an unflinching manner. As an instrumental track, it relies on the evocative power of the piano to convey universal feelings of loss without words.

The accompanying music video elevates the single into a cinematic mini-film. Directed by Klaus Hoch, it presents a compelling visual narrative of two lovers parting ways, set against the vast and stark backdrop of the California desert. The imagery complements the music’s introspective tone, creating a powerful fusion of sound and story that amplifies the theme of emotional fracture.

Peter Manning Robinson

Peter Manning Robinson brings a wealth of experience and acclaim to this release. An Emmy Award winner for his work on KABC’s Above and Below and a recipient of multiple BMI Music Awards—including five for Without a Trace—he has composed for film, television, orchestral settings, and live performances. His orchestral pieces have been recorded by musicians from ensembles such as the London Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and Musica Nova.

Robinson’s musical journey began early: born in Chicago and raised between Vancouver and Los Angeles, he started playing piano at age three and performed professionally by twelve. His training blended classical foundations with jazz improvisation, honed through studies at USC and Berklee College of Music, as well as collaborations with jazz greats like Ernie Watts, Phil Woods, and Freddie Hubbard.

A significant turning point came in his early twenties when severe tendonitis threatened to end his performing career. Through a rigorous retraining process under Phil Cohen at Concordia University’s Leonardo Project, he “unlearned” conventional techniques and developed a new physical and musical approach. This transformation inspired the creation of the Refractor Piano™, an innovative acoustic instrument that enables him to produce “Refracted Music”—live, fully acoustic performances without relying on pre-recorded elements, MIDI, or external sounds.

Since its debut in 2016 at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica, the Refractor Piano™ has featured in acclaimed shows at venues like the Vortex Dome and the Museum of Modern Art DTLA. In 2021, Robinson and collaborator Klaus Hoch established Owl Walk Records, an artist-friendly label dedicated to innovative music.

Return to Solo Piano on Excursions

While recent years have emphasized the Refractor Piano™, Excursions represents a meaningful shift back to traditional solo acoustic piano. Compiled over three years from hundreds of recorded sketches, the album draws from a period marked by global challenges and personal grief. Robinson turned to the acoustic piano as a primary means of processing sadness and loss, resulting in a collection that maps an emotional journey from despair and fracture, through struggle and renewal, to moments of luminous hope and joy.

The album’s title evokes brief, transformative departures from the ordinary—each composition serves as its own emotional voyage. Carefully curated and refined in collaboration with Klaus Hoch, Excursions weaves together fragile light and profound feeling, offering listeners an immersive tapestry of resilience and creativity. The project affirms Robinson’s conviction that instrumental music can stir vivid images and emotions that transcend language.

With “Pure Heartbreak” leading the way, this release highlights Robinson’s ability to blend cinematic scope, technical innovation, and genuine human depth. As his most personal work to date, Excursions promises to resonate deeply with audiences seeking music that speaks directly to the heart.

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