Andrea McKenna • May 13, 2026

Steve T. Hunter Releases New Album “Heartstrings Hotel”

Borrego Springs pianist Steve T. Hunter shares a new solo piano album inspired by love songs from classic films.

Borrego Springs pianist, arranger, and conductor Steve T. Hunter has released a new solo piano album titled Heartstrings Hotel, a collection of love songs from classic films arranged and performed by Hunter.

With a career that has included performances at the Kennedy Center and conducting productions such as CATS and TOMMY, Hunter brings decades of professional experience to a project shaped in part by the quiet creative setting of Borrego Springs.

The album is now available on Bandcamp and features 17 tracks inspired by cinema favorites including Cinema Paradiso, La La Land, The Notebook, Out of Africa, The Princess Bride, WALL-E, Shawshank Redemption, and more.

Listen here

Hunter describes the project as a deeply personal connection between music and film.

“I've always had a very real and immediate connection between music and film,” Hunter wrote in the album notes. “This is a collection of beautiful music that will soothe your soul in these troubled times.”

The project began with Hunter recording themes from Cinema Paradiso and il Postino, eventually growing into a full solo piano collection focused on cinematic love themes and orchestral film music adapted for piano.

The album was transcribed, arranged, performed, and recorded entirely by Hunter, with much of the work created in the sanctuary at St. Barnabas Church in Borrego Springs.

The artwork for Heartstrings Hotel was created by Andrea McKenna.

In Borrego Springs, Hunter has become known for his elegant live piano performances, holiday concerts, and community appearances. His performances blend music, storytelling, history, and humor, creating experiences that resonate with audiences of all ages.

Tracks on the album include:

Cinema Paradiso
Somewhere in Time
Out of Africa
Storybook Love from The Princess Bride
September Song
Pelagia’s Song from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
The Reunion from Artificial Intelligence
Heartstrings Hotel is available now on Bandcamp.

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