Max Richter The Blue Notebooks-Fat Cat 130704 I've listened to a lot of classical music in trying to find what I enjoy with varying degrees of success but have not really been able to get into it in any meaningful manner. But this disc by Richter is fabulous. Richter can't simply be pigeonholed as classical, because his album incorporates electronics, found sounds, and spoken word excerpts as well. When I came to this album, I thought the idea that there would be spoken word readings from Kafka's The Blue Octavo Notebooks by actress Tilda Swinton mingled in sounded a bit dodgy and pretentious, but Richter pulls it off beautifully. The majority of the music on this album is made up of a string quintet and piano, and it's that heart-wrenching sound of these instruments together in minor keys that really makes the album stand out. The album opens with the clatter of a typewriter, the voice of Tilda Swinton, the ticking of a grandfather clock and street sounds filtering in through a window. The sounds fade out and silence, but listen hard and there it is, the rattling of a mirror on the wall, if it is drowned by hum or other noise then you need to get your PSU sorted. The second track "On The Nature Of Daylight" might be the most moving on the disc as swells of strings ebb and flow while plaintive violin melodies just weep. "Horizon Variations" finds Richter playing a touching solo piano piece while the album gets even better on "Shadow Journal," an 8-minute epic that starts out with readings by Swinton subtly drifting over the sounds of a typewriter before a violin melody accompanied by what sounds like bowed cymbals weaves in over an electronic loop. Eventually, the most achingly beautiful filtered harp loop sweeps in and a low electronic pulsing rhythm that sounds like God playing drums in the far off distance starts up and sets the whole thing in motion. This ultra low bass pattern is absolutely superb for setting up your sub's phase level and crossover controls. It has to be the best bass setup track I have come across in addition to being part of one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard. "Iconography" sends a ghostly choir over almost exuberant organs while "The Trees" again brings back the string quintet and piano for a lovely ending. While the album mainly moves with an air of melancholy, it's a far from depressing listen. Sometimes fragile, and often utterly beautiful, The Blue Notebooks is one of the most stunning pieces of music that I've heard. The recording is absolutely first rate and epic in scale. I'm still recovering as I write this and the best part is that I stumbled across this record quite by accident. Download Shadow Journal off iTunes at 79p and see what you think. Even if you don't like it it will make a super test track for setting up your open baffles or horns and will reveal any bass looseness in your amp like nothing else. I've played it twice, now I need a lie down. Steve
