Browsing Tag

Neo-Classical

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

Nick Pike has debuted a neo-classic composition of profound contemplation with the release of ‘Norastoria’

Posted on 12 January 2024
Nick Pike

Nick Pike’s instrumental neo-classical piece, Norastoria, is a composition of contemplation, capturing the tenderness of tentative new beginnings as vividly as the tumultuousness of reality which demands resilience to weather life’s relentless storms.

Each note is as accessible as the last in the endlessly inviting piece which keeps its finger on the evocative pulse. Words are surplus to requirement through Pike’s talent in depicting human narratives in humble neo-classic melodies. Pike’s ability to infuse each note with a sense of purpose and feeling is remarkable. The single is a journey through the highs and lows of the human experience, rendered with a sensitivity and depth that only a musician of Pike’s calibre can achieve.

As a London-based producer, multi-instrumentalist, and educator, Pike brings a unique blend of influences to Norastoria, the title single prised from his debut solo album, from the classical echoes of Beethoven and Debussy to the rhythmic intricacies of jazz and funk. The title single is a testament to Pike’s versatility and his ability to weave diverse musical threads into a cohesive and engaging narrative.

Norastoria will be available to stream and purchase on all major platforms from January 12th. Discover Nick Pike’s sound via his official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chamber strings go pop in Philadelphia String Quartet’s latest score, Oh My God

Posted on 6 October 2023

Living by their motto, ‘Think Outside the Bach’s’, the classically trained artists of which the Philadelphia String Quartet comprises know no bounds when scoring their pieces and comply to even fewer.

Their recently released piece, Oh My God, is a baroque folk fantasyscape, which wouldn’t be out of place in the prelude in a progressive folk metal track, in the OST of lore lore-filled series akin to The Witcher, or any other setting that calls for the romanticism of chamber strings pulling together in complete coalescent quintessence.

Since forming in 2009, the quartet has been immensely in demand as a wedding band; the performers even go as far as to curate custom playlists for couples. If Oh My God is anything to go by, the airwaves should be equally as inclined to champion the quartet’s quasi-classic spin on pop.

Stream Oh My God on Spotify, and follow the four-piece to ensure you’re the first to know when their live-recorded upcoming album drops!

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Michael Carson emulated the emotional connection of artistic expression with ‘Blades on Ice’

Posted on 20 September 2023

The classical music composer, Michael Carson takes inspiration from everything from the vastness of the universe to the majesty in the contortions of the human form; for one of his most captivatingly seminal scores, Blades on Ice, he took his fans on an audio-visual journey inspired by the grace of Olympian figure skaters.

To the accompaniment of his orchestral arrangement, the artistry and expression of the figure skaters are heightened to the nth degree. By soundtracking their defiance of physics, Carson amplified the tension within the dramatic routines, added to the melancholy of their sombre performances, and made melodic their spirited sequences. While some soundscapes cradle what it means to be human, others demonstrate the definition of extraordinary, Blades on Ice superlatively lies in the latter camp.

The official music video for Blades on Ice is available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gary Albert orchestrated an ambient neo-classic respite from discomposure in his piano score, Skies

Posted on 12 September 2023

With melodies moulded into the mellifluous form of drifting clouds and ascending motifs which explore the cosmological atmosphere above, the latest ambient score, Skies, from the composer Gary Albert, is an invitation to lose yourself in the transformative power of music, nature, and art.

The neo-classical piano score was crafted to provide respite from the tumultuous fray of our deeply unsettled world, which can all too easily disquiet the psyche; paired with the mesmerism in the official music video, Skies is a musical and visual journey equipped to mainline the antidote to discomposure.

Instead of using Skies as a testament to his multi-award-winning and critically acclaimed talent, Skies served the far more utilitarian purpose of projecting tranquillity into the soundwaves via pulsating reprises, cathartically cascading melodies, and minimalist movement for fans of ambient soundscapes. Rest assured that you will tune into the same accessibility as offered by Nils Frahm and Hani Rani when you delve into this reflectively accordant piece.

The official music video for Skies premiered on September 4th; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast