Browsing Tag

Sonophonix

Sonophonix have released their alternative orchestral bond theme, No Time To Die.

To correspond with the new 2021 Bond film, the breaking classical duo Sonophonix have release their ethereal spin on Billie Eilish’s theme song, No Time to Die.

With Eilish’s rendition becoming the most haunting Bond theme to have ever existed, it was hard to see how more intrinsic beauty could be pulled from the minimalist score. Yet, Sonophonix discernibly succeeded by amplifying the intensity of the soundtrack with far more prominent orchestral strings and a more cinematically sinister edge. I wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow if I was told the composition was Ramin Djawadi’s work.

You can stream No Time to Die for yourselves on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

‘Sweet Dreams’ Re-imagined: Exciting duo Sonophonix put their own blend on a classic with supremely satisfying results

Sweet Dreams‘ Re-imagined: Exciting duo Sonophonix put their own blend on a classic with supremely satisfying results as they are two such talented musicians. Form is temporary and class is permanent- these two incredible artists have created something so stunning here for us in the fire of 2020 that cools the airs and helps with the global anxiety.

Cellist Xue was born in Beijing, China and is now New York based where she works with various indie acts. After learning the piano aged 4, she moved onto the cello when she was only 9 years old.

Deborah is the pianist here and is from Salem, Oregon but now based in New York City too. She also started playing piano when she was just 4 years old and you can feel the quality here.

This is a beautiful expression of music without words and the stunning soundscape is a blessing to our tired souls. The exciting duo are two inspiring women that use their skills to make such amazing music.

‘We combined electronic elements and a touch of vocals to compliment the piano and cello.’- Sonophonix

This is an underrated duo that deserve more love and Sonophonix have been careful to put their own spin on such a classic song. Sometimes covers can sound clunky or too similar to the original. Not on this occasion. I feel so relaxed after listening to this and you will too.

With years of practice on different instruments, you can feel that these two talented musicians are in their element here and the results are marvelous. The goal of creating an atmospheric sound palette has certainly been achieved.

Click here for the YouTube link.

Head through to the Insta page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Sonophonix drive us ‘Crazy In Love’ with their latest single

https://vimeo.com/461511090

Commencing with a beautiful, arpeggiated piano motif before being joined by the deep, sonorous swell of cello, ‘Crazy In Love’ is a beautiful, haunting piece, an instrumental duet of resonant, musical artistry and elegance that showcases the talents of two incredible musicians.

Pianist Deborah Robb and cellist Xue Yang Liu met while students at the Mannes School of Music at the New School in New York City.  While attending Mannes they performed chamber music together and were members of the Mannes American Composers Ensemble (MACE) under the direction of composer Lowell Liebermann.  Their Sonophonix duo merges their composing, arranging and improvisation skills, and ‘Crazy In Love’ is a perfect example of their art, allowing each performer the personal space to breathe whilst intertwining their individual contributions into something altogether greater, a delicate, mellow, composition of refinement and elegance that transcends the classical genre and becomes something altogether of its own.

Crazy In Love can be heard from the Sonophonix website.

Review by Alex Holmes