Browsing Tag

classical

Andrew Muntt illustrated the beauty of transience in his neo-classical piano composition, Upstairs & Downstairs

Posted on 22 September 2024
Andrew Muntt

Andrew Muntt, in his latest composition ‘Upstairs & Downstairs’, invites listeners into a world of gentle contrasts and profound subtleties. The neo-classical composer wields the piano notes as a delicate raconteur; with one of the deftest touches in today’s classical landscape, his composition wordlessly interweaves tender optimism with evocative intensity, and nothing is lost in translation.

The piano chords cradle the listener, providing a space to nestle between each note. These brief yet all-enveloping moments of contemplation allow the audience to linger in the ephemeral beauty of our stark reality of transience.

Since his graduation, after studying Music Composition from Barcelona, Muntt has explored the intricacies of sound, initially under various electronic music aliases and now through the piano’s keys. His compositions, though complex, advocate for simplicity and subtlety, inviting listeners to tune into what already resides within them.

In his latest composition, the Spanish artist infuses his cultural roots with a discernible richness that resonates through each note, reflecting the serene landscapes around him. His works, ranging from video game scores to YouTube compositions, reveal a versatility that speaks volumes of his ability to connect with a diverse audience.

Upstairs & Downstairs was officially released on September 20; stream the single and connect with Andrew Muntt on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

French Film Noir Meets Classical Piano in Hayley Morton’s Piece of Instrumental Literature, One Night in Budapest

Posted on 29 August 2024
Hayley Morton

With classical piano progressions which unravel like the confessions of a romance novelist, each note is a page turned in the latest composition, One Night in Budapest, by Hayley Morton.

The intimately introspective atmosphere of the delicately arranged peace succumbs you into its quiescence which scintillates the shadowy intrigue and existential reflections of French film noir with teasings of excitement to ease the tension and allow One Night in Budapest to resound as a distant, fading dream immortalised through a classical score.

The Brighton, UK-based pianist and composer released her debut album, Seascape, to critical acclaim in 2022; with this narratively affecting single, she re-emerged and reaffirmed her position as one of the most eloquent agents of instrumental literature.

One Night in Budapest is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tact rendered ‘Catharsis’ in their neo-classic homage to human resilience

Posted on 15 July 2024

Tact, led by the visionary Franco Tartaglia, has earned a revered reputation for kindling their compositions with heightened emotion since their 2009 formation. With their latest jazz-infused neo-classic soundtrack, Catharsis, they reached the pinnacle of evocative poignancy while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit.

Ensuing from a diaphanously ornate feat of cultivated ambience, the instrumental arrangement, as suggested by its name, leads the listener over the brink of emotional release through a strikingly thematic crescendo of jazz-instilled rhythmic complexity.

Leading up to the crescendo, the delicate touch of minor key piano notes hit deep, stirring the senses before the addition of fluid, finger-picked classical guitars injects palpable warmth into the piece. Wordlessly, the piece reflects the often-overlooked beauty within humanity; our ability to physically, psychologically, and spiritually endure atrocity in the tumultuous human experience and take it within our stride.

Catharsis stands as a vibrant testament to the band’s journey and evolution; recorded at Temple Studios and accompanied by a film crafted by Kenneth Scicluna and Klara Vassallo, the release is the ultimate homage to inner strength and dignity.

Stream the official video for Catharsis on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Didier Recloux painted what it means to be human in an inhumane world in his cinematic score, First Walk

Posted on 21 April 2024

Didier Recloux’s single, First Walk, from the album Monsieur Linh and His Child, submerges listeners into a sombre, war-torn universe, showcasing humanity’s struggle against unimaginable atrocities. This profound composition, hailing from a Belgian-born composer with roots deeply embedded in a rich musical lineage, speaks to the resilience and spirit of the human condition.

A veteran of various musical influences—from the progressive rock echoes of Maurice Jarre to the iconic cinematic scores of Ennio Morricone—Recloux’s work reflects a diverse palette of sounds and emotions. Having mastered multiple instruments and the art of orchestration, his compositions carry a unique signature that resonates with the mind, body and soul.

First Walk itself is a poignant reminder of this versatility. The orchestral arrangement, carefully cultivated under the tutelage of experts across continents, delicately weaves a tapestry of humanistic progressions that evoke deep emotional responses. The dual essence of purity and torment reverberates through the very core of the release, engaging the listener in a deeply immersive cinematic experience.

The crescendos, striking in their clarity and impact, build a pensive atmosphere that transcends mere auditory experience; they demand contemplation of what it truly means to endure in an inhumane landscape.

Stream the official music video for First Walk on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Arcane Insignia opened an unholy doorway with their synthesis of classical instrumentation and prog rock volution, Vagrant’s Throne

Posted on 17 March 2024

The Arcane Insignia’s moniker couldn’t be more fitting following the unveiling of their latest orchestrally aligned acoustic prog rock single, Vagrant’s Throne. The New York City duo set a new benchmark in the genre with this 8-minute epic, released as part of their LP, A Violent Whisper.

The dark iteration of classical music still maintains its elegance and opulence as it grapples with the complex signatures of progressive rock’s audacious spirit and the chameleonic vocals which seamlessly shift from the histrionics of New Model Army to the rage and rancour which transcends the furore of Pantera.

Formed by Lodrö Nyima, The Arcane Insignia consists of Noah Heau on cello and Nyima handling vocals, percussion, acoustic guitar, and piano. Their music, a unique amalgamation of influences ranging from Tool and Steven Wilson to The Contortionist, allows the classical instrumentation to venture into darker territories than it is typically accustomed to, creating a scintillating new domain where the ornate, cutting classical strings meet cathartic aural oblivion. This fusion also opens an unholy doorway to a realm where anything is plausible and everything is cinematically striking.

Following in the footsteps of bands like Ne Obliviscaris, Vagrant’s Throne, which unravels as a compelling exposition on classism, proves The Arcane Insignia’s commitment to breaking down antiquated barriers.

Stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Let your imagination breathe in the woodland lore in Supernova Goldfish’s composition, Mystic Forest

Posted on 16 March 2024

Few modern orchestral pieces resonate with the vivid imagery and emotional depth of Supernova Goldfish’s ‘Mystic Forest‘. This single, a masterful blend of neo-classical composition and ornate folk elements, invites listeners into a realm where material reality slips away and imagination breathes freely.

Alexis Walter Blaess, the Argentine-American composer behind Supernova Goldfish, draws inspiration from luminaries like George Winston and Olafur Arnalds. He has a unique ability to instil awe and wonder into his productions which find opulent balances between worldly and introspective qualities.

Mystic Forest unravels as a reflection of the composer’s respect for nature; it shifts from the serenity of a sun-dappled glade to the subtle trepidation of unknown paths while encapsulating facets of woodland lore. The interplay of light and dark, the dance of trepidation-tinged and playful tones, all coalesce into a cinematic score that engulfs the listener in aural fantasy.

The release is a reminder of the enchanting power of music to transport us to places unseen, to touch the intangible, and to reconnect us with the natural world’s mystique.

Mystic Forest was officially released on March 1st; stream the soundtrack on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Supernova Goldfish narrated ‘Forgotten Love Stories’ in his orchestral score

Posted on 2 March 2024

Supernova Goldfish’s latest standout composition, Forgotten Love Stories, the opening single from the album Beautiful World, is a poignant exploration of the soul’s emotional depths. Alexis Walter Blaess, the Argentine-American composer behind the Supernova Goldfish moniker used the delicately compelling piece to capture experiences of Earth; not solely through a humanist view, but a deeply naturalistic one, by removing any sense of ego from the narrative.

The piece begins with tender piano keys, their softness mirrored by the gentle caress of orchestral strings. This introduction sets a tone of introspection, inviting listeners into a world where emotions are heard and felt. As the narrative unfolds, the tempo quickens, echoing the exhilaration and loss of inhibition which comes as a courtesy of affection.

Blaess, drawing inspiration from pianists like George Winston and film composers such as Dustin O’Halloran, crafted an intimately affecting composition through heart-stirring violins and a contemporary orchestra with an exotic vibe, adding layers of complexity to the piece.

The climax of the composition is a masterful depiction of the strife and wounds inherent in love and war. The music swells, capturing the intensity of these emotions before gradually resolving into a reflective calm, leaving listeners with a sense of catharsis. Blaess’s ability to convey moods and emotions through melodies is evident in every note.

Forgotten Love Stories will be available to stream on all major platforms from March 1st; stream it on SoundCloud first.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pablo Laguna exposed the shadow side of neo-classical electronica in ‘Apnoea’

Posted on 28 February 2024

Madrid’s most striking composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Pablo Laguna, built on the foundation laid by the release of his 2019 debut album, Gradus Ad  Delirium, by unleashing his unnervingly commanding album, Is Not the Land, featuring the standout instrumental score, Apnoea. The haunting sonic narrative is a compelling dive into the depths of contemporary experimental music.

Born from the mind of a composer who seamlessly blends classical training with a punk ethos, Apnoea is a masterful fusion of neo-classical orchestral strings with unsettling electronic elements.

The disquietingly arrestive soundscape is far from the conventional cinematic neo-classical path; the horror elements are beyond Lynchian as they almost veer into baroque electronic folk territory. The synths quiver and shake as much as the electronic aesthetics to deliver a poignant reflection of our tumultuous times. Even with the jarring elements in this shadow side of neo-classical electronica, you can’t help but be hypnotised by the arcanely nefarious atmosphere.

Stream Pablo Laguna’s LP, Is Not the Land, in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Daniel Walzer – Space Thing: A Cosmic Journey Through Jazz Fusion

Posted on 21 February 2024
Tripglitch by Daniel Walzer

Daniel Walzer’s single, ‘Space Thing’, from his LP ‘Tripglitch’, is an innovatively entrancing blend of jazz, electronica, and progressive rock elements and a shining example of Walzer’s prowess as a composer and multi-instrumentalist. His ability to compose avant-garde soundscapes deeply rooted in musical tradition is evident in the synthesis of spacey tones and mind-altering melodies.

The prog-rock guitars add a unique dynamic, intertwining seamlessly with the more traditional jazz and classical elements. This fusion creates a soundscape that is vibrant and upbeat yet laced with subtle hints of dystopia. Even amidst the more energetic progressions, Space Thing evokes a sense of quiescence and solace while sharing a few tendencies with the ‘War of the Worlds’ OST.

The production of ‘Space Thing’ is gentle yet potent, allowing each instrument to shine without overpowering the others. This balance is a hallmark of Walzer’s work, reflecting his deep understanding of and respect for each genre he incorporates into his music.

‘Tripglitch’, and particularly ‘Space Thing’, is a reflection of Walzer’s journey through various musical landscapes, from jazz fusion to new age and ambient pop. His ability to blend these styles while maintaining a cohesive sound is nothing short of remarkable.

Space Thing is now available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Embrace the beauty and brutality of the human experience with Mirko Sangrigoli’s seminal neo-classic composition, Z

Posted on 17 February 2024

Mirko Sangrigoli’s latest single ‘Z‘, from his sophomore LP, is a cinematic instrumental emblem of his dual artistic identity. As a jazz musician and a composer of filmic soundtracks, Sangrigoli demonstrates his ability to straddle these worlds with finesse.

Z, the title single from his 2024 album, is a narrative of the complexities of our times, articulated through the eloquence of keys. The track begins with a sense of urgency, the piano keys dancing rapidly, evoking a sense of franticness that mirrors our chaotic epoch. Yet, there’s a method to the madness, which speaks to Sangrigoli’s jazz background. The improvisational feel of jazz is present, but it’s reined in, controlled, and purposeful.

As the piece progresses, it shifts into more reflective moments; these intersections are where Sangrigoli’s talent shines brightest. The transition from the frenetic to the contemplative interludes is seamless as they open a gateway to introspection, echoing the quieter moments in our own lives.

It’s a soundtrack for the ennui-inclined existential soul, capturing the beauty and brutality of the human experience. For those seeking a musical piece that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant, ‘Z’ is a journey worth embarking on.

Z was officially released on January 31st; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast