Browsing Tag

Neo-Classical

Circuit Symphony: The Electrified Emotions of Bruce Cohen’s ‘Dance of the Siren’

Posted on 22 November 2024

With ‘Dance of the Siren,’ the virtuosic composer Bruce Cohen unveiled a composition that is as intricate as it is profound, drawn from his latest album, ‘8 BC.’ By blending the ornate richness of neo-classical elements with the pulsating depths of sci-fi intrigue, each note seems to decide whether to comfort or challenge the listener.

Cohen’s mastery in synthesising disparate musical traditions is evident, as ‘Dance of the Siren’ embarks on a voyage through lush, theatrical gravitas and bursts into scintillating sci-fi phases. This duality in tone and texture transforms the listening experience into an exploration of emotions, leaving one oscillating between catharsis and disturbance—a true testament to his unique position in the electronic music sphere.

Cohen’s journey in music has been a kaleidoscope of genre-defying ventures. From scoring plays like ‘Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde‘ at Philadelphia’s Walnut Theatre to forming the heavy, psychedelic jazz trio Big Fun 3, his creative bandwidth stretches far and wide.

His solo projects resonate with a penchant for German electronic minimalism and ambient soundscapes reminiscent of luminaries like Brian Eno and Klaus Schulze. With each album from ‘1 BC’ to ‘8 BC,’ Cohen has progressively dipped deeper into his own experimental ethos, melding ambient, funk, and trance elements to forge a distinct sonic signature.

Dance of the Siren was officially released on November 11th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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

Victor Moreno delivered nyctophoria with his original film score, Ascend All Night

Posted on 9 May 2024

Victor Moreno’s original film score, Ascend All Night, opens an unflinchingly scenic aural space; he takes a score- opulent in emotion, yet aligned with a sense of unease -past the usual remits of neo-classical into a disquieting sci-fi territory that slips away from gravity.

Thick with unsettling intrigue, akin to a dark corridor you ache to explore, Ascend All Night unravels a nyctophile’s sonic dream by painting a twilight canvas in an ocean of depth which rushes forward into the static of intercepted radio signals before moving past them into the depth of the unknown.

Celebrated for his refined compositions, Moreno has a background enriched by his time at the Swedish Center of Electroacoustic Music and Sound Art. His collaborations with figures like Oliver Ackermann and Wolfgang Tillmans, and his reuniting with sound engineer Rupert Clervaux—who has worked with Spacemen 3 and Spiritualized—bolstered the polished audial textures that define this score.

This evocative piece, central to the narrative of the short art film Ascend All Night, crescendos through a rapture of rich textures, blending piano, violins, synthesisers, and the irreplicable draw of Spanish acoustic guitar. Drawing comparisons to the likes of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, or Thom Yorke, Moreno’s work has ensured that the short film is already making waves across the film festival circuit, promising a vivid journey for audiences everywhere.

Stream the original film score here.

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

An aura of introspection resounds through Alexander Grenville’s neo-classic piano score, Fragile

Posted on 10 April 2024

Alexander Grenville echoed the beauty of fragility through his standout neo-classical composition, Fragile, which carries a touch of the introspective flair of Nils Frahm and the cinematic scope of Ramin Djawdi’s Westworld scores.

Known for the contemplative character of his evocative work, the English musician excels in allowing technically explorative pieces to resound as fragments of deeply personal reflections. In Fragile, the open space between the piano keys becomes an ethereal terrain as the brief quiescent interludes become as integral to the piece as the piano keys he strikes with gentle intuitive tenacity.

The synthesis of mournful repose and lively exploration culminates in a deeply profound aural experience which speaks of the composer’s close relationship with his muse. Drawing inspiration from Ludovico Einaudi, Ola Gjeilo, Erik Satie, and folk artists in the vein of Karine Polwart, Alexander Grenville’s sonic signature is more akin to an eloquent calligraphy; one that distinctively scribes through the mind delivering cathartic solace and inviting you to look at the world through a more introspective lens.

Fragile is available to stream on Spotify.

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

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