Stories » Max Richter guest-curates the Peaceful Music playlist

Stories for January 29, 2020

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    Jan Garbarek and Hilliard Ensemble, A unique pairing reunites for a farewell tour - 'Remember Me, My Dear' / KIND OF JAZZ
     
    Posted At : January 28, 2020 4:46 PM

    It's hard to believe, but Officium - the first collaboration between Norwegian saxophonist, Jan Garbarek, and the English vocal group, the Hilliard Ensemble, took place twenty-five years ago, back in 1994. That album, perhaps against all odds, achieved crossover success, helping to bring jazz - and indeed choral singing - to new audiences worldwide. Twenty years, and three albums later, the two parties reunited for a farewell tour, after which the Hilliard Ensemble disbanded in December 2014. Remember Me, My Dear, was recorded live on that farewell tour, in the Collegiate Church of Sts Peter and Stephen in Bellinzona, Switzerland.  Many purists complained at the time that this music was not jazz. I had the chance to watch them perform on their debut tour, in Tokyo, and it was clear that there was plenty of improvisation from both parties as the music stretched and evolved from that first recording. The Hilliards had to leave more space for the saxophone than they were used to, whilst Garbarek moved around the auditorium, a theatre, and looked to use the space as a sixth instrument, leaning into the curved walls with his saxophone, and allowing the sound to take on a whole new dimension. Twenty years later, the improvisation was still an important part of the music. Soundchecks were often brief, as they would sing or play a few notes, and then listen to what the building had to say about them. As John Potter, one of the original members of the Ensemble noted in the program notes for their final show, the musicians would then wander to different parts of the building, to see how they might best use the space later that evening. In the excellent liner notes, Steve Lake remembered how the Ensemble became more daring over time, "separating and walking slowly through the church while singing, voices drifting through the nave, or reflecting off ancient stones." READ THE FULL KIND OF JAZZ REVIEW

  • 'Blue Landscapes III: Frontiers' is an outstanding album filled with magnificent simplicity / Best New Age CDs
     
    Posted At : January 28, 2020 12:26 PM

    2006 was an important year. It was the year a mutual friend introduced Robert Thies and Damjan Krajacic.  Robert is a classical concert pianist who won a Gold Medal in the Prokofiev Competition in Russia, as well as having a music recording career in the film and television industry. Damjan, a native of Croatia, is a jazz flutist and holds a Master of Music degree in Afro-Latin Music. This fortuitous meeting led to the beginning of their musical collaborations, and Robert and Damjan released their first album, "Difference," in 2006. In 2012, they released the first of the "Blue Landscapes" series, which is now three albums of original compositions and meditative improvisations on flute and piano.  Following, in 2016, was "Blue Landscapes II: Discoveries." And now we have "Blue Landscapes III: Frontiers," which was released in late January 2020, on the Real Music record label.   "Blue Landscapes III: Frontiers," is almost an hour and a quarter of total relaxation. And this is 15 improvised tracks of piano and flute that go "beyond the traditional colors of the instrument," as Damjan says.  All the music on the album consists of piano and two flutes, a regular C flute and a bass flute. There are no synths on this album. What's interesting and impressive, even, is that they've created incredibly unique textures and sounds that do exactly that. For example, on "Forest Path," Robert created an amazing looped rhythmic underlay with the piano strings. And Damjan's relationship with his flute is symbiotic. It's as if they are one. I've not heard flute playing quite as extraordinarily beautiful as this. It sounds other-worldly and ethereal as in the wonderful, "Abandoned Monastery." "'Blue Landscapes III: Frontiers,'" is an absolutely outstanding album filled with magnificent simplicity, softly cocooned inside incredible textures that go beyond the ‘traditional colors of piano and flute.' This is one to get lost in and find yourself at the same time. Extraordinarily beautiful." – Dyan Garris READ THE FULL Best New Age CDs REVIEW

  • Nelsons, Vienna Phil - Beethoven Symphonies is less pompous than Karajan, more moderate than Bernstein, and of much better sound than Toscanini or Furtwangler / Jazz Weekly
     
    Posted At : January 27, 2020 12:00 AM

    As one who has an acceptable number of Beethoven Symphony collections, I've come to a certain way to "fact check" their importance. My key check points are 1) "How sweeping is the opening of the "Eroica" on the "Allegro" along with the thunderous  minor chords half way through? 2) Is the "Allegretto" of Number 7 trudging agonizingly enough? 3) Is the "Allegro Ma Non Troppo"of the "Pastoral" verdant? 4) Do I need to put on a jacket for its " Thunderstorm"? 5) Do I feel like dancing during the "Allegro Vivace" of Number 4? 6) How is the sweeping of the " Allegro Ma Non Troppo" and "Molto Vivace" of Number 9? On all these points, the 5 disc and Blu-Ray Audio set by Andris Nelsons and the Wiener Philharmonicker pass with no qualms. It is less pompous than Karajan, more moderate than Bernstein's and Norrington's and of much better sound than Toscanini or Furtwangler. The strings have a rich texture and the woodwinds breeze like spring leaves. The chorus on the 9th led by Johannes Prinz is rich and with gravitas, and each symphony feels like it is to be appreciated all on its own and not part of an overall mosaic. The early pair being coy and optimistic, "Eroica" confidently explorative, 5 an early apotheosis, 6 a rest at the top, 7 vying for its due attention, 4 and 8 impressive interludes and the 9th a call to glory. This one has great flavors, never feeling like it's hinting at anyone else, and not succumbing to modern trends. DG has put itself back on the top of the Teutonic composers interpretations with this one. SEE THE Jazz Weekly PAGE

  • Jake Shimabukuro stops by 90.1WABE: Atlanta in advance of City Winery shows
     
    Posted At : January 27, 2020 12:00 AM

    Jake Shimabukuro is a Hawaiian-born ukulele virtuoso who's been touring internationally during the last 17 years, expanding the scope and repertoire of his instrument. He has collaborated with musicians from Yo-Yo Ma to Jimmy Buffett, and is widely known as "the Jimi Hendrix of the Ukulele." The musician began playing at 4 years old when his mother gave him the instrument. Years later, he became one of YouTube's first viral stars in 2006 when a video of him playing The Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" in Central Park was posted without his knowledge. Today, that video has gotten over 15 million views. Shimabukuro is playing with his trio Jan. 27 and 28 at City Winery. He joined WABE: Atlanta "City Lights" host Lois Reitzes in the studio to talk about his music. LISTEN TO THE SEGMENT     PHOTO: CREDIT CLAIRE REYNOLDS / WABE

  • Paul Merkelo chats with Central Michigan Radio's 'Mosaic'
     
    Posted At : January 27, 2020 12:00 AM

    Recognized among the finest trumpet virtuosos of his generation, Paul Merkelo release; The Enlightened Trumpet is his first recording for Sony Classical. Hailed as "a spectacular soloist ... a most impressive master of his instrument" (Montreal Gazette) who "knows no limits" (Der Spiegel) and with "unusual lyrical gifts" (Gramophone), Merkelo has been Principal trumpet with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal since 1995, and has appeared as soloist with prestigious orchestras around the globe, from Melbourne to Shanghai. On The Enlightened Trumpet, Merkelo is joined by the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra and its founder and conductor Marios Papadopoulos for four spectacular concertos by Haydn, Leopold Mozart, Telemann, and Hummel. Merkelo will be touring in the spring of 2020 with the English Chamber Orchestra featuring the pieces on his new CD and Central Michigan Radio - Mosaic host David Nicholas recently spoke with Merkelo about the recording.   LISTEN p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px}

  • Peter Kater wins 'Best New Age Album' for 'Wings' / meaww
     
    Posted At : January 27, 2020 12:00 AM

    The shocking death of Kobe Bryant took the world by storm but music lovers have now mournfully moved on to the prestigious Grammy Awards 2020, which acknowledges the best of music. German-born American pianist Peter Kater wins Best New Age Album for 'Wings.' The pianist and composer was four when he moved to New Jersey and studied classical piano His album recordings include rhapsodic songs, abundant with emotion. Some tracks from the album are: 'Raven's Wings', 'Wings of Love', 'Hold Me Close', 'Angel's Nest', 'Wings', 'Flight', 'Swallow River', 'Remembrance', 'When We Meet Again' and 'Flight Reprise.' The other nominees in the category included 'Fairy Dreams' by David Arkenstone, 'Homage to Kindness' by David Darling, 'Verve' by Sebastian Plano and 'Deva' by Deva Premal. PHOTO: (Getty Images) p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px} READ THE FULL meaww ARTICLE

  • Venezuelan expatriate and pianist; Gabriela Montero applies muscle, emotion, and wonderful improv skills to Russian program / Portland Press Herald
     
    Posted At : January 27, 2020 12:00 AM

    It is only natural that musicians use their own experience as a template for broader commentary on social issues and the world around them – assuming, of course, that they are willing to air their views publicly. Gabriela Montero, an expatriate Venezuelan pianist, has long been outspoken, in interviews and on Twitter, about human rights abuses in her homeland, which she has described as a narco-kleptocracy and a failed state. Though early-20th-century Russian composers fleeing the tyranny of the Soviet state were the main focus of "Westward" – the program Montero played at Hannaford Hall in a Portland Ovations concert on Saturday afternoon – her own sense of displacement from Venezuela was not far beneath the surface. Montero is a powerful player, and the Russian works she offered – Prokofiev's "Sarcasms" (Op. 17) and Sonata No. 2 (Op. 14), Stravinsky's Sonata (1924) and Rachmaninoff's Sonata No. 2 (Op. 36) – drew on her ability to put speed and volume at the service of thorny and sometimes dense music. All four works were given muscular, emotionally forceful readings, and where there was anger in the music – or even where anger could merely be deduced – Montero brought it forth, sharpening edges rather than trying to prettify them. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px} READ THE FULL Portland Press Herald REVIEW

Top 10 for Jan

  • Colin Stetson :

    Color Out of Space

     Milan Records today releases COLOR OUT OF SPACE (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK) with music by GRAMMY® Award-winning saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and composer COLIN STETSON.
  • Lorne Balfe :

    Bad Boys for Life OMPS

     Sony Music today releases BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SCORE) with music by GRAMMY Award-winning, EMMY- and BAFTA-nominated composer LORNE BALFE (Ad Astra, His Dark Materials, Gemini Man).
  • Ted Poor :

    You Already Know

     You Already Know, the New Deal/Impulse! debut from the acclaimed drummer Ted Poor-"a trustworthy engine in countless modern-jazz settings," per the New York Times-isn't your typical jazz drummer's recording, almost defiantly so.
  • Robert Thies - Damjan Krajacic :

    Blue Landscapes III Frontiers

     Mindfulness music leader Real Music presents Blue Landscapes III: Frontiers, the pioneering third album in the award-winning Blue Landscapes series from internationally renowned pianist Robert Thies and flutist Damjan Krajacic.
  • Thomas Newman :

    1917 OMPS

     Sony Music announces the December 20 release of 1917 (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK) with music by GRAMMY®, EMMY® and BAFTA® Award-winning composer THOMAS NEWMAN.
  • Dustin O'Halloran :

    Sundoor

     Deutsche Grammophon is proud to announce the signing of Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning composer Dustin O'Halloran and his release of a new EP, Sundoor.
  • Sheku Kanneh-Mason :

    Elgar w/London Symphony Orchestra - Rattle

     Award-winning cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason returns with Elgar, a new album of works anchored around Elgar's Cello Concerto – arguably the best-known work in the classical canon written for solo cello, which saw the 100th anniversary of its first performance this month.
  • Joey Alexander :

    Warna

     Today, Joey Alexander, the Grammy-nominated jazz pianist, composer and bandleader announces the release of his major label debut album, WARNA (Verve Records).
  • Andrea Bocelli :

    Si Forever

     Following over 1 million album sales of his No.
  • Alexandre Desplat :

    Little Women OMPS

     Sony Music announces the release of LITTLE WOMEN (ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK) with music by Academy Award®, Golden Globe® and GRAMMY® Award-winning composer ALEXANDRE DESPLAT.

Max Richter guest-curates the Peaceful Music playlist

Posted: August 2, 2018 12:00 AM | By: Admin
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Max Richter, the acclaimed composer, pianist and producer, has guest-curated the Peaceful Music playlist, the first playlist brand co-created between Universal Music Group and Apple Music, in order to help people find "a useful place to rest" amid the frenzy of modern life. The West German-born Brit, whose epic 2015 record, Sleep, was praised as among the best albums of the decade, has chosen 53 superb pieces of music for the Peaceful Music playlist. Richter says of the project: "I think Peaceful Music can be a really effective tool to help us find a kind of breathing space in our always-on, 24/7, screen-based kind of a world.

READ THE FULL udiscovermusic ARTICLE       Listen to the Peaceful Music playlist exclusively on Apple Music.

Crossover Media Projects with Max Richter

  • Max Richter

    Never Look Away OST

    Max Richter's score for the 2018 drama Never Look Away is released on DG. The latest from director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarch (Lives of Others), Never Look Away is inspired by the life of artist Gerhard Richter through the story of an art student in post-war East Germany. The film was selected as the German entry for Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards and stars Tom Schiling, Sebastian Koch and Paula Beer.

  • Max Richter

    Mary Queen of Scots OMPS

    Composer Max Richter has written a compelling and dramatic score for the upcoming historical drama, Mary Queen of Scots.  Directed by Josie Rourke and starring Margot Robbie and Saoirse Ronan, the movie explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart and her attempt to overthrow her cousin, Elizabeth I, Queen of England. The lavish orchestral score features a full orchestra and eclectic vocal pieces.

  • Max Richter

    White Boy Rick OST

    Max Richter wrote the score for White Boy Rick, the story of teenager Richard Wershe Jr., who became an undercover informant for the FBI during the 1980s and was ultimately arrested for drug-trafficking and sentenced to life in prison.  Directed by Yann Demange and starring Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Jason Leigh, the film arrives in theaters September 14.

  • Max Richter

    The Blue Notebooks

    DG releases a new, deluxe edition of Max Richter's The Blue Notebooks to celebrate its 15th anniversary with brand new artwork as well as new arrangements, remixes and a previously unreleased new track. Written in 2003, The Blue Notebooks was originally composed in protest to the 2003 invasion of Iraq and features readings by Tilda Swinton of selections from Kafka's The Blue Octavo Notebooks and Czesław Miłosz's Hymn of the Pearl and Unattainable Earth.

  • Max Richter

    Hostiles

    The latest film from director Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart), Hostiles stars Christian Bale as a legendary Army captain in 1892 who reluctantly agrees to escort a Cheyenne chief (Wes Studi) and his family through dangerous territory. The Hostiles soundtrack features music by composer Max Richter (The Leftovers, Sleep). Richter has received both Grammy and Emmy nominations for his work in film and television. Recent awards include The European Film Academy Award for Waltz with Bashir, the International Film Music Critics Award for The Leftovers, and a German Film Award and Australian Film Critics Award for Lore. 

  • Max Richter

    Three Worlds - Music from Woolf Works

    Following the success of SLEEP, Max Richter reveals his latest recording project – a new album entitled - Three Worlds: Music from Woolf Works. It's drawn from his music to Wayne McGregor's award-winning Royal Ballet production Woolf Works – inspired by the works of Virginia Woolf – and will be released on Deutsche Grammophon on January 27, 2017. Woolf Works returns to the Royal Opera House in London, with performances beginning on January 21 and continuing on February 2,4,8,11,13 & 14. There will also be a worldwide cinema broadcast on February 8 with subsequent screenings. 

    9 NEW  61 TOTAL
    SYND:     Classical 24, Hearts of Space, CBC
    Direct: SiriusXM, MOOD, AccuRadio
    Markets include: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit, Berkeley CA, Albuquerque, Louisville, Hartford CT, ME(Statewide), MN(Statewide), Barcelona
    INTER: Canada, UK, Spain, Romania
    Online: Musicas Imaginadas, popmatters, Second Inversion, soundblab, Reviewsnewage, Russell Trunk's Exclusive, Troonradio.com, Journeyscapes, Radio Cluj, Lost Frontier, Radio Despi               

  • Max Richter

    Sleep

    Max Richter's SLEEP will receive its world premiere this September in Berlin, in a concert performance lasting from 12 midnight to 8am at which the audience will be given beds instead of seats and programmes. The eight-hour version will be available as a digital album, and for those who prefer it, a one-hour adaptation of the work – from SLEEP – will be released on CD, vinyl, download, and streaming formats, all through Deutsche Grammophon, on 4 September.

    24 NEW -  80 Total
    SYND:     Classical 24, CBC
    Direct: SiriusXM/Spa, MOOD
    Markets include: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, St. Louis, Seattle, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, Portland, Detroit, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Austin, New Orleans, Memphis, Louisville, Honolulu, Canada, UK
    Online: Taintradio, Stuff.co.nz, theartsdesk.com, Passion Musique, The Quietus, MoneyTalksNews NewsonNews, The 405, Classical Music, Jackson, Daily Democrat