He also gets the violin to take a melodic lead over two minutes in, which resembles the same sort of effect as the theme from Schindler’s List. Richter builds texture and atmosphere by his shift in chord progressions. The slow chordal movement adds to the solemnity of the music, with no real melody to grab on to, the music slowly moves along. Opening with unison chords, the lower strings take the lead in creating the luscious texture. Scored for string quintet, On the Nature of Daylight is slow in movement, simple in harmony and fruitful in atmosphere. Used at both the start and the end of the film, the work’s solemn atmosphere really grabs you at the heart. The Blue Notebooks is perhaps one of Richter’s most popular albums with Pitchfork describing is as “note only one of the finest records of the last six months, but one of the most affecting and universal contemporary classical records in recent memory.”Īs well as its use in the album, On the Nature of Daylight received its widespread acclaim during its feature in the film Arrival. The album itself is a protest album about the 2003 Iraq War paired with feelings and emotions from Richter’s troubled childhood.
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Max Richter: On the Nature of Daylight ContextĪs part of Max Richter’s 2004 album The Blue Notebooks, On the Nature of Daylight has received international acclaim. Want to keep listening? Check out our Mindfulness Piano Playlist below. The addition of a string ensemble only enhances the listening experience further. Overall, the album is charmingly eclectic, as Obel takes inspiration from contemporary music as well as classical, combining wonderfully to create a signature sound.
The fast-paced flowing arpeggios and broken chords are delightful, and the combination of deep resonating tones mixed with higher delicate melodies adds depth and dynamic to the overall album, allowing audiences to be submersed into a glorious state of tranquillity.įeaturing the incredible ‘September Song’ from the HBO hit series ‘Big Little Lies’, Agnes Obel’s Aventine mixes bright and mellow melodies with her own uniquely beautiful vocals. Ravel encapsulates the impressionistic genre and style of the early 20th century. Stepping away from the contemporary, Canadian pianist André Laplante’s Ravel recordings transport you to a place of pure serenity. The album blends together seamlessly as each piece becomes more peaceful than the next, making In This Moment the perfect album to fall asleep to. Combining contemporary piano and gentle synth pad sounds, Luke’s album has a meditative quality – keeping you in a calm and relaxed mindset. Mirroring the album’s title, Luke’s calming melodies will have you relaxed and, in the moment, – helping to ease all your worries just by listening. Nothing will relax you more than listening to Gavin Luke’s In This Moment. Upon listening, it quickly becomes apparent that Elements is nothing short of mesmerising, as Einaudi strays away from the conventional - using both classical and technological elements throughout the album.Įlements showcases Einaudi’s contemporary-classical style, whilst still managing to surprise us with breathtakingly beautiful melodies and chord progressions. His album Elements (2015, Decca) features a modern and electronic accompaniment that brings a whole new feel to his signature sound. It’s guaranteed to have you sinking into your pillow.Įinaudi never fails to disappoint when it comes to providing relaxation and serenity. Not only does Moccio provide mesmeric melodies throughout, but each piece becomes more tranquil as the album progresses. With each song played gently over calming white noise, Moccio pulls out all the stops when it comes to relieving us of our worries and anxieties. Allow time to take yourself away from the chaos of the everyday, with Stephan Moccio’s album, Tales of Solace - which will prove to be as comforting and as fitting as its title.