In the middle of last year I couldn’t stop writing hymns for whatever reason… every piece I wrote sounded like a hymn, every song I wrote was based on hymn-like chord progressions. I suppose it was my own way of playing some peace into the atmosphere when it seemed society was coming apart. It can be hard to know how to respond to things as an artist, but I have a deep belief that creating can bring about its own kind of healing—healing not just for the artist but for those who listen (or watch) as well. 

It’s compositionally my favorite track on the EP—I took a traditional-sounding progression and expanded it into something with a modern-classical flavor. I also just love how insanely creaky and old this one ended up sounding… like one of the dusty, forgotten, and out-of-tune pianos I’ve played in so many churches over the years. It’s also the most fun to play!

Sojourn

An old hymnbook

❤️ Buy Here

Inspired by the poem "Acquainted with the Night" by the American poet Robert Frost. 

Acquainted with the Night

I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain—and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right. 
I have been one acquainted with the night.

Acquainted with the Night

Weave

Messenger

I'm sleeping under the dead tree (Anoice / Films 'Messenger')

Hiding (Reworks) is a unique collection of recompositions highlighting the talents of several exciting musicians, centering around a track that pianist and composer Garreth Broke wrote for solo piano called Hiding.

Hiding was first released as part of a collaboration with artist Anna Salzmann titled Healing, which explored the healing process in all its complexities. Whenever Garreth returned to the piece or played it in concerts, he kept having new ideas for it, as if the piece itself were telling him that it wanted to grow. This prompted him to invite a group of musicians whose work he admires to create a series of reworks of this composition, encouraging them to be as adventurous as they liked — a task that they really embraced, leading to some mesmerising results.

The result is this EP, in which Hiding is presented in six different forms. First, you’ll hear the original piece re-recorded on a gorgeous felted C. Bechstein upright piano, then reinterpreted by the fantastic ondes Martenot player and multi-instrumentalist Josh Semans from the UK. The wonderful Australian clarinetist and looper Ruby Lulham, aka Clariloops, offers up the gorgeous third track, which is followed by an exhilerating rework by Sweden-based Vargkvint and Jakob Lindhagen featuring wordless vocals, kantele, zither, harmonium, electric organ and synthesizers. In the fifth track, the piece is reworked into an atmospheric piano-led song sung by Vargkvint with lyrics by artist Anna Salzmann, who created the paintings that first inspired the project. Finally, Josh Semans closes out the collection with a brief but beautiful reprise.

This collection of recompositions shines a light on the unique talents of its contributors and, like a kaleidoscope, fragments of the original piece are ever-present but always shown in a new light. Hiding (Reworks) comes out on the 3rd of March, featuring artwork by Anna Salzmann and graphic design by Celia Bayo.

Purchase

Garreth Broke - Hiding (Felted Piano Rework)

IpadPianoSeries#1 - Febraury

Newest track from Eva Brönner (cello) and me (composition and piano): 'Nostalgia'. Recorded in a top studio in Germany this song for cello and piano is full of longing and sadness; homesick for a time since passed.

I hope you like it.
Regards!!

Nostalgia (Eva Brönner & Moisés Daniel)

Pianoday 2019
Music; Giovanni Sarani
MICRONIE IV

Mezzo Valzer

From the album Felt transience

Mastering: Alex Saltz
Label: Sonder House

Lingering

Night Train

"Ayutthaya" taken from the album "Saffron" by Amanda Bloom. Uploaded for Piano Day 2021. Enjoy!

Ayutthaya for Piano Day 2021 #pianoday2021 #pianoday

Richard Hellgren is a Swedish composer and multi-instrumentalist, residing on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. His music is known for its minimalistic and contemplative character, often touching upon themes of melancholy and poetry. Richard's unique style of composition stems from his special relationship with his old Malmsjö upright piano, which he uses to create most of his recordings.
As a building architect, Richard draws inspiration from the creative process of composing music. He believes that both architecture and music revolve around the concept of space and silence, respectively. In his own words, "Architecture is about encompassing space and music is about encompassing silence!"
Richard's music has been praised by notable sources, with one reviewer describing his work as "hauntingly beautiful, with a melancholic edge that lingers long after the last note has played." His first EP, Ainigma, was released on the New York label Sonder House in June 2019, followed by his second release, Felt Transience, on the same label in October 25.
Richard Hellgren's unique approach to composition and his ability to evoke emotions through his music make him a rising star in the industry. His work is not to be missed.

Lingering

Richard Hellgren

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