There’s something utterly delightful about the gentle nostalgia of Benyamin Nuss’ lyrical, deeply introspective compositions and the heartfelt generosity with which he plays them. Personal Stories provides a subtle musical mix in which the boundaries between classical, jazz, and contemporary neoclassical styles are blurred or, rather, fused together by the expressive power of melody. Nuss draws from his passion for Debussy, especially in the exquisitely beautiful Miniature 2014 and the hypnotic harmonies of Three Views of a Smile III. Shades of Ravel pass over the surface of Northbridge Waltz, while Bean Cat appears to nod to the laidback wit of Bill Evans. Each of Nuss’ “stories” rises from particular emotions, either associated with a direct experience or called to mind as a prompt for his creativity. Listen to Memories of Salzburg to discover the composer’s response to the majestic old Austrian city and the unforgettable sunset he witnessed there, then open to Hoffnung and its intense embrace of optimism. The latter, conceived during the first week of the pandemic, connects to the heart as it grows from a restrained, mantra-like introduction to revel in an irresistible sunburst of radiant romanticism. Anata Ni Ayamaranai to Ikenai Koto Ga Aru, the album’s longest and arguably finest track, portrays an intimate confession and the profound emotional liberation that comes from it. These Personal Stories resonate with their captivating charm and unforced emotional honesty.