Music Review | Works of Hildur Guðnadóttir

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Hildur Guðnadóttir is composer and cello player from Iceland.

Solo Albums

Mount A (12 Tónar, 2006)

“Mount A” is the debut album and a Contemporary Classical album by Hildur Guðnadóttir. Basically the music is contemporary and experimental string ensemble songs, and some songs includes guitar, piano, vibraphone and synthesizer pad parts. Also it owns elements of Minimal Music, Ambient and Expressionist Music.

Without Sinking (Touch, 2009)

“Without Sinking” is the second album of Hildur Guðnadóttir. And, it’s a Post-classical, experimental strings album. Jóhann Jóhannsson as organ and Skúli Sverrisson as bass take part in this album.

“Elevation” is a song of long tone abstract strings song. As the title, this song begun from low tones, and progresses high tone.

“Everything Light” is an arpeggio based Minimal strings song. Each string instrument crosses dynamically.

“Circular” is a composition is consist of long tone chords strings.

“Ascent” is a string quartet song like baroque music and Minimal Music. A cello plays a bass part, 3 parts cross and form harmonies in repeating phrases.

“Opaque” is a dynamique and agressive string ensemble song. I feel her anger.

“Aether” is a Folk taste also abstract, guitar and small orchestra ensemble song.

“Into Warmer Air” is a Minimal Music string ensemble song. It begins by phrases repetitions of a contra bass, and cello(s), viola(s) then violin(s) follow and the harmonies of song become bright from gloomy harmonies.

“Unveiled” is an abstract and obscure song by some string instruments. The end they make clear phrases and harmonies.

Saman (Touch, 2014)

“Saman” is a Post-classical album features cello solos of Guðnadóttir and string ensemble.

“Strokur” is a simple and serious composition of string ensemble features Guðnadóttir’s cello solo.

“Frá” is a sacred song of chorus with modulated distorted stings.

“Birting” is minimal and slow composition for strings.

“Heyr Himnasmiður” is Icelandish or Scottish taste song features female vocal with string accompaniment.

“Bær” is a significant and melancholic strings song.

“Heima” is Folk taste guitar arpeggio based vocal song. The vocal style like a whisper is impressive.

“Í Hring” is a short miserable, sad and serious piece like the Second Viennese School.

“Rennur Upp” is serious strings composition with faint muted piano arpeggios. The best song of this album.

“Líður” is Folk and Christian Anthem taste vocal song with fragmental piano. Later part, strings accompaniment follow.

“Torrek” is a short serious strings piece features cello solo of Guðnadóttir.

“Þoka” is experimental and gloomy music of modulated string instruments and their reflections and noises.

I feel the theme of album is intervals, stillness and silence. You might be satisfied with Guðnadóttir’s cello plays and her iconic style composition and strings arrangement.

Resources and Links

Hildur Guðnadóttir (official site)

Wikipedia (EN)

Deutsche Grammophon – Hildur Guðnadóttir

Touch – Hildur Guðnadóttir

Pitchfork – Hildur Guðnadóttir

Wise Music Classical

SHARE+ – Hildur Guðnadóttir

MUBI

Discogs

AllMusic

Rate Your Music

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Music Review | Works of Ludovico Einaudi

Solo Albums

Stanze (Sony Classical, 1992)

Stanze is the second album by Ludovico Einaudi. This album features electric harp is played by Cecilia Chailly.

The first track “Notte part 1” is a bright composition, harp plays arpeggios, fragmental piano ride on them.

“Calore”, harp plays melodies, and low tone piano plays backings in few tones.

“Calmo” is a refreshing song, harp plays nostalgic melodies.

“Vega” is a track of improvisational cooperative play of piano and harp.

“Onda” is a sentimental and Scottish taste harp is highly modulated by reverb solo song.

“Respiro” is a harp dubbing European Folk taste song. Harp plays backings and melodies.

“Lento” is a gloomy Folk taste harp solo song.

“Attesa” is a Folk taste song, harp plays backing arpeggios and piano plays simple melodies.

“Cadenza” is nostalgic music, piano plays minimal backings, harps plays melodies.

“Ritorno” is contemporary and minimal taste harp solo music.

“Notte part 2”, it begins with harp arpeggios and harp phrases, from the later part piano plays backings and harp solo become dynamic.

Einaudi solely fulfilled the roll of a composer, this album entirely featured electronic harp played by Cecilia Chailly.

Le Onde (Sony Classical, 1996)

“Le Onde” is a Post-classical piano solo album. The music is Classical also popular, serious but easy to listen.

The title track, “Le Onde” is sentimental also refreshing sophisticated but simple piano piece.

“Ombre” is a beautiful melancholic piece.

“La Linea Scura” is an arpeggio based Classical piano piece.

“Tracce” is a sentimental and solitary slow song.

“Questa Notte” is a serious and Folk taste grandiose song. The best composition of this album, I think.

“Dietro L’Incanto” is a very sad ballad song.

“Onde Corte” is a bright, cute and refreshing simple piano piece.

“Passaggio” is a European Folk taste orthodox and serious piano piece.

“L’Ultima Volta” is an apathetic also significant piano piece.

A very good Post-classical piano solo album for a wide range listeners.

Eden Roc (Sony Classical, 1999)

“Yerevan” is silent piano quintet song.

The title track, “Eden Roc” is a Folk and Pop taste high-tempo, bright and refreshing song.

“Fuori Dalla Notte” is an European Folk taste and melancholic piano quintet song.

“Due Tramonti” is a bright, fresh and refreshing violin and piano duo song.

“Nefeli” is a passionate piano solo piece with the impressive theme.

“Ultimi Fuochi” is a dynamic and passionate piano and string ensemble song owns the elements and the methods of Minimal Music.

“Giorni Dispari” is a miserable, pathetic but emotional and grandiose piano quintet song. The combinations and crossings of each part is very nice and technical.

“Julia” is a simple nostalgic Folk taste piano solo piece which associates George Winston.

“Password” is a sentimental and sweet also bright simple piano and celle song, easy to listen.

“Exit” is a grand work of piano quintet.

This album is a full-volume album contains various tastes of composition and styles of music. You can listen to the genius of Ludovico Einaudi.

I Giorni (Sony Classical, 2001)

“I Giorni” is a piano solo album by Ludovico Einaudi. The orthodox but contemporary, pure and refreshing but unique piano solo album.

“Melodia Africana I – III” series is an arpeggio based, bright, refreshing and smooth composition, I feel a fresh wind blows.

“In Un’Altra Vita” is a sentimental and passionate good piano piece.

“I Giorni” is a sentimental and bright song for reflection.

“Samba”, despite the title, is a melancholic arpeggio based piano composition.

“La Nascita Delle Cose Segrete” is an apathetic, sentimental but bright piano piece.

“Quel Che Resta” is an arpeggio bases piano song which associates a green forest.

“Limbo” is a sentimental and pathetic song like Fabrizio Paterlini.

“Bella Notte” is a fantastic and passionate song.

The very good modern and orthodox, refreshing and bright Contemporary Classical album associates George Winston, Fabrizio Paterlini and Pat Metheny. I recommend this album for who like their music.

Diario Mali (Sony Classical, 2003)

“Diario Mali” is a collaboration album of Ludovico Einaudi and Malian musician Ballaké Sissoko who plays West African instrument kora.

“Laissez-moi en paix” is Folk and nostalgic taste refreshing song of kora backing with piano melodies.

“Entre nous” is slow-tempo warm Folk taste song, Pino and kora are corssing.

“Soutoukou” is a simple and few tones warm also sentimental song with repetitions of motifs.

“Chanson d’amour” is a gentle and warm song features piano melodies like a vocal.

“Chameaux” is modern piano and kora improvisations, has elements of Jazz.

“Ma mère” is a tender and relaxing solo ballad. Piano and kora play melodies repeatedly.

“À l’ombre” is an apathetic and gentle Folk taste song.

“Niger Blues” is a Country and new age taste refreshing song.

“Mali Sajio” is fragmental also/and fine Folk and Ballad taste song.

“Dessert dans le désert” is based on repetitions of motifs played by piano with hard freely improvisational play of kora.

This album is a collaboration of and Italian pianist and a Malian kora player, but the compositions or songs have gentle, nostalgic and contemporary American Folk and/or Country tastes.

Una Mattina (Sony Classical, 2004)

“Una Mattina” is a piano solo album by Ludovico Einaudi. The theme of this album is things and persons around his daily life. Some tracks are cello and piano duo with a cellist Marco Decimo. The taste of this album is classical and modern.

“Resta con me” is a bright and light ballad song with cello accompaniment.

“Leo” is a miserable and fragmental piano piece.

“A fuoco” is a significant and sorrowful piano and cello grand work.

“Come un fiore” is a simple beautiful and gentle piano piece.

“DNA”, cello plays sorrowful and elegant melodies and piano plays arpeggio accompaniment.

“Nuvole nere” is a melancholic and minimal piano piece.

“Questa volta” is a neutral feeling, sorrowful also delight beautiful piano piece by few tones. It makes use of intervals among tones.

A good work of Ludovico Einaudi. Especially three cello and piano duo songs are excellent.

Divenire (Sony Classical, 2006)

“Uno” is a track like Ambient with grand piano, piano like synthesizer sequence.

The title song, “Divenere” is a grand piano and string orchestra dynamic and significant, sentimental also brave grand work.

“Monday” is a beautiful melancholic piano solo piece.

“Andare” is a simple sorrowful aosng with piano, guitar, cello and strings.

Despite the title, “Primavera” is sentimental also grandiose song with impressive melodies and harmonies played by piano and string orchestra. It progresses dynamically with the orchestra accompaniment and its passionate passages.

“Oltremare” is an arpeggio based fine grand work of piano solo.

“Fly” is a minimal and anxious piano solo based song with dub effects and keen reflections.

“Ascolta” is a sentimental and European taste composition. Improvisational piano solo rides on electronic sequences and noises.

“Svanire” is a grand work like symphony is consist of full orchestra and solo violin. A bright and apathetic and gentle composition.

“Luce” is an apathetic and sentimental long piano solo piece.

A fine and sophisticated and usual (in the good meaning) Post-classical or Contemporary Classical album contains various style of songs.

Elements (Decca, 2015)

“Elements” is a Modern Classical or Post-classical album by Ludovico Einaudi. This album is classical and alchemic four elements of air, water, earth and fire.

“Petricor” is a grandiose and passionate Classical also contemporary song features a violinist, Daniel Hope.

“Night” is a sentimental New Age piano piece with percussive synthesizer sequences and a string orchestra accompaniments.

“Drop” is a sorrowful piano piece with synthesizer sequences, percussion loops and electronic noise.

“Four Dimensions” is a elegant, sentimental and apathetic piano piece with triangle, glockenspiel and sythesizer pad accompaniments.

“Elements” is a minimal composition that associates Steve Reich and Philip Glass, is consist of electric bass, string ensemble, electric piano, synthesizer sequences and orchestral percussion.

“Whirling Winds” is a melancholic piano song with silent string chord. Later part, is become dynamic, and piano and string arpeggios are crossing.

“Twice” is a today’s pop taste refreshing song with acoustic and modulated electronic percussions.

“Nowhere” is apathetic, silent and warm Ambient by electric piano, glockenspiel and sythesizer pads. In later part, piano and strings follow.

“Mountain” is simple also minimal piano piece with sythesizer pad chord accompaniment.

“Song for Gavin” is bright and transparent New Age piano music.

“Drop Variation”, “Elements Variation” and “Twice Variation” are piano solo arrangement variations of each song.

12 Songs from Home (Decca, 2020)

“12 Songs from Home” is a “home studio recording” piano solo album by Ludovico Einaudi released in 2020.

“A Sense Of Symmetry” is a modern simple piano piece.

“Oltremare” is a 11 minutes long melancholic and sorrowful piano piece which associates Fabrizio Paterlini

“Berlin Song” is a bright, gentle and modern fragmental piano piece.

“Tu sei” is a melancholic and vague fragmental improvisational piano piece.

“Elegy for the Arctic” is an arpeggio based sorrowful and fragmental piano piece.

“Ascent” is a bright and sentimental beautiful piano solo ballad.

“Nuvole Bianche” is pathetic and tragic Classical and sophisticated piano piece.

“Le Onde” is the representative composition of Einaudi. The sorrowful piano piece with impressive phrases.

“High Heels” is gentle and pretty also melancholic good piano piece.

“The Earth Prelude” is also the representative work of Einaudi. The arpeggio based significant and sorrowful piano piece.

This album might be recorded in his home studio. The sound contains key touch and hammer noises and environmental noises, they are warm and entire mood is relaxing. You can feel his musical genius, piano play style and heart.

Resources and Links

Ludovico Einaudi (Official Site)

Wikipedia (EN)

Discogs

AllMusic

Facebook Page

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Instagram

Wise Music Classical

uDiscover Music

Ponderosa

Ricordi

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Reseña Musical | Obras de Max Richter

Perfil

Max Richter es el músico representativo, la figura principal y el pionero de la música postclásica actual y de las escenas clásicas contemporáneas. Es un compositor, multiinstrumentista y productor musical británico nacido en Alemania. En activo desde mediados de los 90, ha producido e interpretado diversos géneros y tipos de música, como álbumes de estudio, actuaciones experimentales, ballet y numerosas partituras cinematográficas y música para televisión. Y miembro del grupo de seis pianistas, el repertorio del grupo es Música Clásica Contemporánea y Mínima, “Piano Circus”.

Sus características son la mezcla de la Música Clásica ortodoxa y su forma de composición e instrumentos, y las tecnologías electrónicas e informáticas. Especialmente la composición de cuerda con pads y secuencias de sintetizador, y ruidos electrónicos.

Algunos pianistas ya interpretaban sus composiciones como “música clásica”.

Álbumes en solitario

The Blue Notebooks (130701, 2004 / Deutsche Grammophon, 2014)

“The Blue Notebooks” es el segundo álbum de Max Richter publicado en 2004 y el tema es una protesta por la invasión de Irak en 2003 y una meditación sobre la violencia y la guerra. Este álbum recoge las lecturas de “Los cuadernos azules” de Franz Kafka, “Himno de la perla” y “Tierra inalcanzable” de Czesław Miłosz.

“Sobre la naturaleza de la luz del día” es una canción para cuarteto de cuerda mínima y significativa, sin melodía aparente. Esta canción podría ser la principal de este álbum, creo que una de las mejores composiciones de Mac Richter.

“Shadow Journal” comienza con ruidos de tipógrafo, un arpegio de lectura y pad. Le sigue un slo de violín, ruidos electrónicos, arpegio de piano, cuerdas y un timbal. Una canción hermosa y misteriosa.

“Organum” es un tema atmosférico compuesto por pad(s) de sintetizador muy modulados y un piano, y protagonizado por un tono muy agudo y un agudo pad de sintetizador.

“The Trees” es una canción misteriosa y malancólica con arpegios de piano y pasajes de cuerda. La obra se vuelve gradualmente apasionada.

“Horizon Variations”, “Vladimir Blues”, “Written on the Sky” y “A Catalogue of Afternoons” son buenas piezas cortas para piano solo.

Song from Before (FatCat Records, 2006 / Deutsche Grammophon, 2014)

“Song from Before” es un álbum post-clásico de Max Richter. La característica de este álbum son las combinaciones de instrumentos clásicos conjunto de cuerda y piano, y tecnologías electrónicas y sintetizadores. Algunas canciones contienen lecturas de citas de novelas de Haruki Murakami, son rojas de Robert Wyatt.

“Flowers for You” es una composición sencilla, patética y significativa, que consta de cuerdas, pads de sintetizador y ruidos electrónicos.

“Harmonium” presenta un pad de sintetizador y sus reflejos con frases de glockenspiel como música ambiental.

“Autumn Music” es una composición elegante y melancólica para quinteto de piano. Un piano interpreta únicamente arpegios de fondo. Las cuerdas tocan melodías y se cruzan.

“Sunlight” es una canción de quinteto de cuerdas patética y también apasionada.

“Autumn Music 2”, como la “1”, es una composición elegante y melancólica de piano solo.

“From the Rue Vilin” y “Leo” son hermosas piezas cortas de piano minimalista basadas en arpegios.

infra (2010, Deutsche Grammophon)

“infra” de Max Richter es un Post-clásico y Electrónica, contiene varios tipos y gustos de pistas. Un álbum experimental también ortodoxo y clásico también incluye elementos de Ambient, Minimal Music y Noise Music.

Los instrumentos principales son conjunto(s) de cuerdas, un piano y sintetizadores. Casi todas las pistas están muy moduladas por efectos y se les añaden ruidos electrónicos y ambientales. Es una mezcla única de música clásica y sonido experimental.

“infra 1” es una canción atmosférica como Ambient de pads de sintetizador, ruidos ambientales y cuerdas.

“journey 1” es una canción de arpegios de piano y ruidos electrónicos.

“Infra 2”, en la grabación, un arpegio de pads de sintetizador y cruces de instrumentos de cuerda.

“journey 4” es una impresionante canción de emsenble minimal de cuerda.

“journey 5” es una canción minimalista de cuerdas como Phillip Glass, pero en la última parte el sonido de las cuerdas está distorsionado y sobrecargado de efectos.

“infra 8” es una impresionante composición grandiosa y solitaria de conjunto de cuerdas.

SLEEP: Tranquility Base (2023, Deutsche Grammophon)

“SLEEP: Tranquility Base” de Max Richter es una música para dormir, y un álbum de variaciones de estilo Post-clásico.

Temas y frases de sabor clásico o de folklore celta se interpretan por el método de la Música Mínima. Richter debe tocar un órgano y sintetizador(es), muchos invitados tocan instrumentos de cuerda, secuencias pads y bases de sintetizadores, y una base eléctrica, una cantante femenina canta vocalises.

Entre cada pista no hay intervalo. No puedo escuchar las divisiones mientras se escucha. Cada parte se inserta por fade in lentamente y sale por fade out lentamente.

Un trabajo único, impresionante, tranquilo, clásico y moderno, post-clásico. He asociado este álbum con obras de Steve Reich, Mike Oldfield y Tangerine Dream.

Recursos y enlaces

Max Richter Official Website

Deutsche Grammophon – Max Richter

Decca Publishing – Max Richter

Max Richter – Wise Music Classical

Wikipedia (EN)

AllMusic

Discogs

Rate Your Music

Pitchfork

Facebook Page

X (former Twitter)

Instagram

Max Richter – Sleep

Max Richter | The New Four Seasons

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