Harmonia
(2020)
duration 56 minutes
Classical Composer Crosses Over
Like a moving soundtrack to no film in particular, Harmonia is a new album with a fresh take on what genre-busting between the realms of classical and electronic looks like and is hitting digital music stands now. Having spent four seasons as composer-in-residence with the Copenhagen Phil composing amongst others a piano concerto and symphony, Amsterdam-based Benjamin de Murashkin thought it was about time for something completely different. This was a passion-project, a longstanding question in his mind and heart about what would happen if a classical composer decided to take on the challenge of composing, producing and recording a new album of music. Composing the music, learning to program analog synths, recording himself on piano with the always amazing Johanna Bolin on cello (and with cameos by Theo Burghouts on Bouzouki and guitar and Martin Cholewa on french horn) and brought across the finish-line by sound magician co-producer and mixer Gijs van Klooster, it was a two year labour of love that resulted in Harmonia.
Benjamin de Murashkin is an accomplished composer, having worked with orchestras and ensembles throughout Scandinavia and beyond. Studying at conservatories in both Australia and Denmark he brings with him a varied background and an openness to multiple influences. Benjamin has also worked extensively with contemporary popular artists, ranging from the epic rhythm and song of Wildbirds & Peacedrums to pop-folk stars Cody, in arranging their music to be performed with orchestra.
This album is at once something new and unfamiliar. It revels in being listened to, taking the expansive structures of the classical tradition and winding a tale that crosses between known and unknown soundscapes. Popular music reveals its influence in sections of minimalist repetition, chords locking into shape with instrumental layering taking over the developmental banner.
Here’s an album that takes the listener through vistas of pounding rhythms, serenely intimate melancholy and clashing sound worlds that combine into exciting constellations. Harmonia.
duration 56 minutes
Classical Composer Crosses Over
Like a moving soundtrack to no film in particular, Harmonia is a new album with a fresh take on what genre-busting between the realms of classical and electronic looks like and is hitting digital music stands now. Having spent four seasons as composer-in-residence with the Copenhagen Phil composing amongst others a piano concerto and symphony, Amsterdam-based Benjamin de Murashkin thought it was about time for something completely different. This was a passion-project, a longstanding question in his mind and heart about what would happen if a classical composer decided to take on the challenge of composing, producing and recording a new album of music. Composing the music, learning to program analog synths, recording himself on piano with the always amazing Johanna Bolin on cello (and with cameos by Theo Burghouts on Bouzouki and guitar and Martin Cholewa on french horn) and brought across the finish-line by sound magician co-producer and mixer Gijs van Klooster, it was a two year labour of love that resulted in Harmonia.
Benjamin de Murashkin is an accomplished composer, having worked with orchestras and ensembles throughout Scandinavia and beyond. Studying at conservatories in both Australia and Denmark he brings with him a varied background and an openness to multiple influences. Benjamin has also worked extensively with contemporary popular artists, ranging from the epic rhythm and song of Wildbirds & Peacedrums to pop-folk stars Cody, in arranging their music to be performed with orchestra.
This album is at once something new and unfamiliar. It revels in being listened to, taking the expansive structures of the classical tradition and winding a tale that crosses between known and unknown soundscapes. Popular music reveals its influence in sections of minimalist repetition, chords locking into shape with instrumental layering taking over the developmental banner.
Here’s an album that takes the listener through vistas of pounding rhythms, serenely intimate melancholy and clashing sound worlds that combine into exciting constellations. Harmonia.
Supported by Koda Kultur