For Your Listening Consideration
Night by Ola Gjeilo
Continuing our weekly tradition of spotlighting albums that captivate and inspire, we now turn to three compelling works that showcase the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary piano music. In Néo-Romance, Alexandra Stréliski captivates with her subtle yet immersive minimalism, while Ola Gjeilo’s Night traverses the hushed magic of New York’s after-dark hours through reflective improvisations. Meanwhile, Sinj Clarke’s The Height of Love conjures cinematic warmth and laconic elegance, revealing deep emotional undercurrents in each carefully crafted note. Together, these albums demonstrate the expansive power of the piano and invite us to explore new dimensions of harmony, texture, and storytelling.
Néo-Romance - Alexandra Stréliski
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music.
In 2023, acclaimed composer and pianist Alexandra Stréliski, whose works have achieved platinum status, introduced her newest album, Néo-Romance, following the success of her Juno Award-winning release, INSCAPE. A trailblazer in today’s classical landscape, Stréliski is lauded for her stirring, minimalist style. Her music, embraced by the late director Jean-Marc Vallée, has played a pivotal role in his celebrated productions, including Sharp Objects (HBO), Big Little Lies (HBO), and Dallas Buyers Club.
With Néo-Romance, Stréliski presents 14 instrumental pieces that transcend genre boundaries, drawing listeners into her uniquely expressive universe. At times, her piano glimmers with a harp-like delicacy, revealing an inherent gift for melody. Each track is gently enveloped in layered harmonies and rhythmic depth, conjuring a soundscape that feels spellbinding and dreamlike.
The Height of Love - Sinj Clarke
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube.
Pianist and composer Sinj Clarke has been steadily cultivating a reputation for his distinctive, laconic style of composition, drawing listeners into a world reminiscent of late seventies Italian film scores and the lush, sun-drenched tones of exotica. His music transports audiences to evocative landscapes, combining nostalgia with a modern sensibility. Sinj Clarke’s debut EP, Music for an Italian Afternoon, was a striking introduction to his artistry, showcasing his bold orchestration, meticulous craftsmanship, and an auteur’s attention to cinematic detail. This was followed by the critically-acclaimed double single, 'I Fell In Love, Again' / 'Unas Horas', further cementing his ability to blend elegance with emotional depth. With The Height of Love, Clarke delves even deeper into the intricacies of interpersonal experiences and the complex spectrum of human emotions, offering a body of work that resonates with both intimacy and universal appeal. His compositions are not merely music; they are vivid stories painted in sound.
Night - Ola Gjeilo
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube.
Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo finds deep solace in the nighttime energy of New York City, where many of his tracks originate from spontaneous improvisations captured during those hushed, after-dark hours. Guiding listeners through his urban refuge, Gjeilo opens with Quiet Streets, a piece anchored by a steady, unhurried pulse echoing his footsteps along dimly lit avenues. In Before Dawn, his reverence for Bach’s understated beauty shines through, while Skyline unfolds as a love letter to the city's towering silhouettes, gleaming under the moonlit sky. The album’s journey winds down with the brief yet evocative Nocturnal, whose swaying rhythm gradually gives way to restful sleep. Admirers of Gjeilo’s sacred choral compositions will discover much to cherish in these opulent yet intimately pared-down piano pieces.
Néo-Romance - Alexandra Stréliski
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music.
In 2023, acclaimed composer and pianist Alexandra Stréliski, whose works have achieved platinum status, introduced her newest album, Néo-Romance, following the success of her Juno Award-winning release, INSCAPE. A trailblazer in today’s classical landscape, Stréliski is lauded for her stirring, minimalist style. Her music, embraced by the late director Jean-Marc Vallée, has played a pivotal role in his celebrated productions, including Sharp Objects (HBO), Big Little Lies (HBO), and Dallas Buyers Club.
With Néo-Romance, Stréliski presents 14 instrumental pieces that transcend genre boundaries, drawing listeners into her uniquely expressive universe. At times, her piano glimmers with a harp-like delicacy, revealing an inherent gift for melody. Each track is gently enveloped in layered harmonies and rhythmic depth, conjuring a soundscape that feels spellbinding and dreamlike.
The Height of Love - Sinj Clarke
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube.
Pianist and composer Sinj Clarke has been steadily cultivating a reputation for his distinctive, laconic style of composition, drawing listeners into a world reminiscent of late seventies Italian film scores and the lush, sun-drenched tones of exotica. His music transports audiences to evocative landscapes, combining nostalgia with a modern sensibility. Sinj Clarke’s debut EP, Music for an Italian Afternoon, was a striking introduction to his artistry, showcasing his bold orchestration, meticulous craftsmanship, and an auteur’s attention to cinematic detail. This was followed by the critically-acclaimed double single, 'I Fell In Love, Again' / 'Unas Horas', further cementing his ability to blend elegance with emotional depth. With The Height of Love, Clarke delves even deeper into the intricacies of interpersonal experiences and the complex spectrum of human emotions, offering a body of work that resonates with both intimacy and universal appeal. His compositions are not merely music; they are vivid stories painted in sound.
Night - Ola Gjeilo
Listen on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube.
Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo finds deep solace in the nighttime energy of New York City, where many of his tracks originate from spontaneous improvisations captured during those hushed, after-dark hours. Guiding listeners through his urban refuge, Gjeilo opens with Quiet Streets, a piece anchored by a steady, unhurried pulse echoing his footsteps along dimly lit avenues. In Before Dawn, his reverence for Bach’s understated beauty shines through, while Skyline unfolds as a love letter to the city's towering silhouettes, gleaming under the moonlit sky. The album’s journey winds down with the brief yet evocative Nocturnal, whose swaying rhythm gradually gives way to restful sleep. Admirers of Gjeilo’s sacred choral compositions will discover much to cherish in these opulent yet intimately pared-down piano pieces.
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