Pursohn – “End Piano”
-The thoughtful piano work of Pursohn is fascinating to me. There are quaint elements that make the song unfold just little bits at a time. The melody doesn’t repeat much, so you’re constantly wondering where it might be going. It makes me want to make a video with this as the soundtrack but I have no idea what it would be about… and that’s amazingly perfect right now.
Nyxl – “Flower”
-In a world of snappy pop tunes and over-used electronics everywhere, it’s nice to just listen to the dulcet vibrations of a few well-placed piano key strokes. This piece by Nyxl will calm your spirit immediately. I wouldn’t recommend listening to this in a busy place because it’s just so delightfully calming. Be at peace with this mesmerizing track.
Marco Volino – “Bolle di Sapone”
-This composition rises and falls beautifully. The dynamics, even amongst a solo piano, are incredible. I don’t know the technical term for how each line rolls into the next, but it’s really an intriguing listening experience. As I listen, I feel my own mood moving with the track. It’s emotive.
Manuel Zito – “La Deriva”
-This song begins like other neoclassical pieces with a simple piano, but then as the strings and electronic sounds enter you and transformed to a different place. It’s much more like a soundtrack to a film than a typical classical piece, but it works for us. The dynamics here create an image of going on a beautiful journey. It works well for imagination.
Jesse Brown – “Flocks”
-If you follow this neoclassical column regularly, you’re well acquainted with Jesse Brown’s exceptional piano work. His compositions are some of the most rewarding to me. I continue to be impressed with the blended elements of classical and modern style in his work. I always feel pulled into the song without dicing it to pieces as a work of “music” but as something that emotionally moves me.
Thomas Seher – “Stages”
-I am no technical music genius, but I think the track builds in stages here. There are at least three (maybe four?) layers that I can count. The result is this wonderfully engaging sound that builds upon itself. It reminds me of the fantastic elements of the world of Disney’s Fantasia. Remember when you first encountered that explosion of beauty and color? This feels like that with piano lines.
Sym Jym – “Drops”
-If I had to give an example of neoclassical music to someone who never heard it before, Sym Jym would be a serious candidate. This track has elegant phrasing, delightful pacing, and a melody that repeats without feeling repetitious. It’s a really well balanced track that moves along without rushing you. It’s comfortable but won’t put you to sleep, either.
Michael Perera – “Circles”
-The movement in this track is stunning, really. Maybe, you might say, it goes in circles bringing around major elements. It’s a thoughtful piece that will draw the listener in. It feels (to me, at least) like the song is one big loop, but each time around there’s some sort of change like a key modulation or a slight change in the pattern. It’s hypnotic and by the end will have you feeling peaceful.
Sleepy Songs – “0334”
-What it lacks in artistic title it makes up for in honest artist name… this is definitely a sleepy song. It’s beautiful, too, and will instantly relax the listener. The phrasing reminds me of someone telling a pleasant story. You want to know what happens at the end, but you’re happy to learn the descriptions of the characters along the way.
Daniel Migdal and Jacob Kellerman – “Adagio” by Schubert
-Maybe there’s not much neo about this one, but it was so delightful we couldn’t say no. The composition is, well, expert. But what I love about this interpretation is that there’s real life in it. These are not folks just copying the masters; they are bringing their own heart and story into the piece. We rarely cover string classical music, so when we do you know it’s going to be particularly engaging.
