Tag: ambient

  • Seán Mac Erlaine: Amhrán na Leabhar

    Seán Mac Erlaine: Amhrán na Leabhar

    O Vis Aeternitatis I only discovered Seán Mac Erlaine’s music a few months ago when I heard his version of “O Vis Aeternitatis” on the saxophone. It was one of those epiphanic moments when a piece of music resonates instantly. I was familiar with the…

  • Arve Henriksen: Migration

    Arve Henriksen: Migration

    In addition to his improvised work with experimental electronica trio Supersilent, Arve Henriksen has also perfected over the years a characteristic floating trumpet sound that is mainly derived from his study of the Japanese Shakuhachi flute. Confirming the musician’s status as a major improviser and…

  • A Winged Victory for the Sullen: We played some open chords…

    A Winged Victory for the Sullen: We played some open chords…

    Modern-classical duo A Winged Victory for the Sullen emerged in 2007 following a chance encounter between Californian pianist Dustin O’Halloran and ambient drone composer Adam Wiltzie (Stars of the Lid). Focusing on Dustin O’Halloran’s piano, the sustain of Adam Wiltzie’s electric guitar and traditional strings,…

  • Erik Truffaz & Murcof: Al Mediodia

    Erik Truffaz & Murcof: Al Mediodia

    Erik Truffaz Ever since his appearance on the contemporary jazz scene in the early 1990s, and all the more since Dawn (1998), his breakthrough recording for the Blue Note label, Swiss born Erik Truffaz has never ceased to explore new sounds with various formations, experimenting…

  • Max Richter: The Haunted Ocean

    Max Richter: The Haunted Ocean

    Waltz with Bashir (2008) is a groundbreaking animated documentary by Israeli film maker Ari Folman. One night at a bar, an old friend tells director Ari about a recurring nightmare in which he is chased by 26 vicious dogs. Every night, the same number of beasts. The…

  • Max Richter: Shadow journal

    Max Richter: Shadow journal

    The Blue Notebooks “Shadow journal” was originally released in The Blue Notebooks (2004), the second solo album by German born British composer Max Richter. While classically trained, the musician is also influenced by Rock and Electronic music or by modern minimalists such as Philip Glass, Steve…

  • Andrey Dergatchev: The Return

    Andrey Dergatchev: The Return

    I must have watched The Return three or four times now, several years apart, and each time I am left with a very strong impression. Set against the backdrop of the desolate wilderness of Northern Russia, The Return is an arresting film by first-time director Andrey…

  • Nils Petter Molvaer: Presence

    Nils Petter Molvaer: Presence

    Presence is a beautiful track from Norwegian trumpeter Nils Petter Molvaer’s 2002 recording NP3. While the video clip was superbly crafted, I can’t dissociate the track from the album’s cover featuring life-size figures on a beach staring at the horizon. The cover is a photograph…