String figures are a storytelling activity and an age old form of spiritual play. There are hundreds of them, from all over the world, often representing things from nature or day to day objects or activities. The long days of the Covid-19 pandemic UK lockdown and a bewildered mind led me to learning a number of them, picking at random for a welcome distraction. As the months went by and the lockdown continued, I began writing simple melodies to represent the simple, innocent and playful movements of two hands, a piece of string and the passing of time. There was so much uncertainty within the monotonous days and I think this also comes out in the pieces. 

My brilliant friends Mainly Two, a violin duo, recorded this collection of miniatures in the depths of the Black Forest in Germany 48°49'42.4"N 8°23’09.6”E. It had to be outside, everything had to be outside during that time, so you’ll also hear the soundscape of the forest, distant traffic and airplanes that surrounded them.

String Figures

Many Stars

Flight of Spring

Los Olivos (2022)

Following in the footsteps of our previous singles Come Thou Fount and O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus, this release features two traditional hymns, reimagined in an organic-yet-meditative style, featuring acoustic cello, ethereal vocals, and ambient soundscapes crafted from tongue drum tones.

Stream & download: https://on.echoes.blue/when-i-survey

Our full 'Hymns for Morningtide' EP will release on 9th September 2022.

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When I Survey

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Kevin MacLeod - Erik Satie Gymnopedie No 2

Christopher Slaski read Music at Cambridge and the Royal Academy of Music. He also attended the classes of Ennio Morricone at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana. He is a member of the European Film Academy and a recipient of the World Soundtrack Award for Best European Film Composer. 

Feature film scores include Beyond The Sea, The Pianotuner Of Earthquakes,  Semen, Una Historia de Amor, La Verguenza, and Rue Huvelin and his score for A Good American was nominated for the 2017 Austrian Film Award. 

He has composed music for over 100 commercials including Carlsberg, Marks & Spencer, Renault, Compare The Market, Mercedes, British Airways, O2, Ancestry and Unilever and his production music for Audio Network is used worldwide. 

His works have been performed at the Royal Albert Hall and recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra. CD albums include a compilation album Film Works released by Quartet Records, the Original Soundtracks to A Good American and The Pianotuner Of Earthquakes. 

He was a member of the Jury of Excellence at the 2018 European Film Awards in Seville, the BAFTA Jury for Best Original Music in 2020 and has previously been a member of the international jury of the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film festival.