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Max Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works
ByFor ages, starting from the works of writers such as Shakespeare, Jane Austen, W.H. Auden, Goethe, Tolkien, Lewis Carol, the brothers Grimm to Carmen (to name but a few), literature has often served as an inspiration behind some of the greatest musical achievements. The music on Three Worlds was actually created as an accompaniment of Wayne McGregor's ballet that is based on Woolf's writings and as result, the final outcome is presented in three chapters that are based on three of Wolf's books: Mrs. Dalloway, Orlando, and The Waves. Richter delves into this rich world of Woolf's writings and offers another confirmation of the composer's gifts and far-reaching imagination.
Richter's penchant for elegant lyricism has been evident all throughout his recordings and he brings a similar approach to this one. As poignant as his writing is, it's the use of melodies and ambiances that give his work its rarefied air. The music floats from contemporary classical to an unusually thorough blend of ambient music elements with contemporary classical without calling attention to itself. Each chapter has its own distinct character yet they meld together seamlessly into the big whole as Richter balances these elements masterfully. In a way, each piece kind of dovetails into the next, establishing not only a variety of moods but a settingan internal landscape of thoughts and emotions.
The music is at once contemplative and unpredictable, a mix of long and weaving melodies, repetitious patterns and high drama. All of the compositions are very emotive pieces, full of grace and quiet, restrained elegance. Three Worlds is a beautiful listen overall, even if you aren't acquainted with its context. Despite revealing already known dimensions of Richter's musical persona, it also uncovers new ones. As such, Three Worlds is a masterpiece.
Track Listing
Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Mrs Dalloway - Words von Virginia Woolf; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Mrs Dalloway - In The Garden; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Mrs Dalloway - War Anthem; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Mrs Dalloway - Meeting Again; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Orlando - Memory Is The Seamstress; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Orlando - Modular Astronomy von Deutsches Filmorchester Babelsberg and Robert Ziegler; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Orlando - Entropy; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Orlando - Transformation; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Orlando - Morphology; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Orlando - The Tyranny Of Symmetry; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Orlando - The Explorers; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Orlando - Persistence Of Images; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Orlando - Genesis Of Poetry; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Orlando - Possibles; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / Orlando - Love Songs; Richter: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works / The Waves - Tuesday.
Personnel
Max Richter
keyboardsMusician Name #1: instrument; Musician Name #2: instrument; Musician Name #3: instrument.
Album information
Title: Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Deutsche Grammophon
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