Steve Barakatt – Néoréalité (Video)

Categories: Features, Neoclassical, Neoclassical Features, The Latest, Video|Tags: , , , |

“Remember the words of the great William Shakespeare – The whole world is a theater, and the people in it are actors. -Néoréalité- like the play of an invisible composer who has just stepped out from behind the curtains; Sat down at the piano, the light goes out and a stream of radiant emotions and feelings rushed into the hall. -Néoréalité is beauty, grace and real art in the neoclassical genre!”

“Вспоминаются слова великого Вильяма Шекспира – Весь мир театр, а люди в нём актёры. -Néoréalité- словно игра невидимого композитора, который только что вышел из-за кулис; сел за пиано, гаснет свет и в зал хлынул поток лучезарных эмоций и чувств. -Néoréalité- это красота, грация и настоящее искусство в жанре неоклассики!”

-Nagamag.com

Steve Barakatt Unveils His New Album Néoréalité

https://stevebarakatt.com/

Director Francis Bordeleau chosen by the world-renowned composer to helm a musical short film

Quebec City, July 7, 2021 — Today, award-winning composer and pianist Steve Barakatt unveils his 10th album, Néoréalité. After a career spanning more than 30 years, 5 million albums sold and over 500 concerts on five continents, the artist introduces a new musical universe. Alone at the piano, recorded in the intimacy of his studio in Old Quebec, Steve Barakatt’s work lulls and transports us in music and images through a powerfully moving musical short film.

It was after watching Francis Bordeleau’s first feature film that the composer and pianist wanted to collaborate with the rising film star. A Quebec director, producer and screenwriter, Bordeleau made a name for himself with the acclaimed release of Carnasse and Wolfe (TVA Films), two productions that helped the artist make a name for himself on Quebec’s cultural scene.

A fan of his work, Steve Barakatt needed only a few minutes to issue the director a challenge: to make a film about his own music.

“Néoréalité is about creating a parallel world. The situation of great social changes was ideal for me to be alone at the piano and create with authenticity. The creative process for Néoréalité was like a long journey into the land of imagination. A quest for purpose,” says Steve Barakatt.

The new album is being released worldwide today under the Universal Music MENA label.

The making of Néoréalité presented the young director with a perfect opportunity. “Steve Barakatt gave me carte blanche on everything I wanted to create. On my very first listen, the album transported me to a cinematic universe. It was my first collaboration with an artist from the musical world and I while the reflexes of a feature film director. This collaboration has allowed me to grow and surprise myself,” says Bordeleau.

Néoréalité is presented as a living fresco that leaves the audience in an introspective mindset. Evoking the fragility of life, the uncertainty caused by our environment or the anguish of losing what is most precious to us, this musical short film is both moving and fascinating. This universal work can be heard around the world starting today.

About Steve Barakatt

For more than three decades, award-winning composer, pianist, singer, producer and internationally acclaimed creative director Steve Barakatt has produced hundreds of projects in collaboration with the world’s top artists, studios and companies. A true artist-entrepreneur-philanthropist, Barakatt has performed over 500 concerts on five continents. As an artist, he has sold over 5 million albums worldwide. He is the composer of numerous official anthems for major organizations such as UNICEF, the City of Saemangeum (South Korea), the world’s 66 Royal Golf Clubs and the Mortherland anthem marking the centenary of Greater Lebanon. He recently composed Devenir—L’Hymne officiel de l’Ordre national du Québec which was unveiled by Quebec’s Prime Minister on June 22.

About Francis Bordeleau

Francis Bordeleau is a young Montreal filmmaker with a degree in communications and politics. He has created singular and striking works, in which he portrays colourful characters in their never-ending quest for freedom. In 2016, he wrote, directed and produced his first short film, Iceland, which was launched the same year at the Short Film Corner in Cannes. Later that year, he wrote and directed Carnasse, an ambitious short film for which he won the Gold Audience Award at the Fantasia Film Festival. His first feature film, Wolfe, was released in October 2018 in Canadian theaters.

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Johan Hugosson, Brett Deubner, Allison Brewster Franzett – Samarthana (Version for Viola & Piano) – song by Johan Hugosson, Brett Deubner, Allison Brewster Franzetti | Spotify (Spotify)

Categories: Audio, Features, Neoclassical, Neoclassical Features, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , , |

“100% Classic creation carefully made for selective listeners. Cooperative work with variety in progress and dynamic changes. Discover the vibrating Viola chords as they match with those piano keys in order to approach perfection.”

-Nagamag.com

MOTHER EARTH, the new album from celebrated violist Brett Deubner with PARMA Recordings, reflects humanity’s search for meaning in the midst of loss and mortal frailty. Born out of the strife of 2020, MOTHER EARTH expresses the angst and hope of this deeply challenging period through the language of music. Chant-like meditations, cathartic outpourings, and even a call to arms for environmental justice are only a few of the themes explored in MOTHER EARTH. Deubner, whose solo debut with the Grammy award-winning New Jersey Symphony Orchestra resulted in numerous subsequent engagements throughout the United States and abroad, partners with pianist Allison Brewster-Franzetti for this deeply moving collection.

https://www.brettdeubner.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bdeubner

Denise Young – Moonlit Heart (Spotify)

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“Classical diamond carefully selected for your best sound collection. Dominating piano melodies decorated with the silvery voice of Denise, spreading love and beauty in the air. Real talents can't be hidden, because they shine like bright stars in the dark sky.”

-Nagamag.com

Moonlit Heart is inspired by a Divine encounter on a moonlit beach in the early evening. Each listener may imagine a different experience for this musical story.

https://www.facebook.com/DeniseYoung.DAY.Music
https://deniseyoung.com/
https://www.instagram.com/deniseyoungmusic/
https://twitter.com/MusicofDay

Denise Young is a composer, pianist, producer, arranger, and music publisher on the record label, Dancing Horses Music. She lives in Southern California and 4th studio album was released released on 12/12/2019.

Denise grew up in the suburbs just outside St. Louis, Missouri. Playing by ear at age 4 and beginning formal lessons at age five, she started composing original music in her early teens. Denise holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy (a double major in music and psychology), and a Master of Arts. She composes original piano-centered instrumental music that combines a contemporary style with arrangements that often include bass, cello, violin, vocalizations, percussion, acoustic and classical guitar, English horn, clarinet, and other wind instruments. Her music can be heard on radio stations around the world and often plays on Balmorhea stations. Her musical influences include, Nils Frahm, Ennio Morricone, Hans Zimmer, Chopin, and Beethoven.

Her musical accomplishments include three studio albums of original music and original scores for three short films, two shown at the LA Short Film Festival and one full length documentary, Broadway Treasures (2019). Her music has earned two nominations for Best Piano Album by Zone Music Reporter, and one nomination for Best New Age album by Just Plain Folks. On the Zone Music Reporter top 100 radio airplay chart, her album Something You Dream Of… charted at number two, and her album Passionata charted at number three.

Chris Roe – Cliffs – Exclusive Track from the After Love Soundtrack | BFI (Video)

Categories: Features, Neoclassical, Neoclassical Features, The Latest, Video|Tags: , , , |

“Deeply moving, this soundtrack for ‘After Love’ by Chris Roe is all about the divine performance of cellist Alice Purton. Alice takes on the main theme, her part representing the motion of the waves. The score is brilliant in its simplicity, the supporting instruments and sound effects subtly adding to the coastal atmosphere. A wonderful piece of music.”

-Nagamag.com

The soundtrack to #AfterLove is out now featuring original score from award-winning composer Chris Roe.

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https://chrisroemusic.com/

“Scoring After Love was a dream project for me, and was intensely collaborative from start to finish,” said Roe. “Aleem and I worked closely with sound designer Joakim Sundström to blend the score and soundtrack together, and I was lucky enough to work with phenomenal cellist and improviser Alice Purton to explore how the cello could mimic the sounds of the sea and build the entire score just from one instrument.”

Roe’s music for After Love won Best Original Score at the Les Arcs Film Festival. It follows Roe’s highly praised work on Armstrong, Spitfire and Children of the Snow Land – just three of his thirty screen credits since 2014.

The immensely moving feature debut from BAFTA-nominated director Aleem Khan, After Love premiered to great acclaim at the BFI London Film Festival in 2020 and was an official selection for Cannes Critics’ Week and the Telluride Film Festival.

After Love open in cinemas across the UK since Friday 4 June 2021.
Find a screening near you: https://theb.fi/AfterLove

Stream the full EP: http://theb.fi/AfterLoveScore

Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetotheBFI

Claim an extended BFI Player Subscription free trial (UK only) – subscribe using code BFIYOUTUBE: http://theb.fi/player-subscription

Watch more on BFI Player: http://player.bfi.org.uk/
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Chris Roe is an award winning Royal College of Music composer and the film ‘After Love’ was selected for Cannes Critics Week, BFI London Film Festival Telluride amongst several others and won Best Original Score at Les Arcs Film Festival.

LE BERRY – Jordi Forniés (Video)

Categories: Features, Neoclassical, Neoclassical Features, The Latest, Video|Tags: , , , , , |

“The bright, searing flames of emotion warm our cold souls when their half-closed door glides with this neoclassical work by -Jordi Forniés-. Inspiring piece, it helps to reflect on the most important things in life…”

“Яркое, обжигающее пламя эмоций согревает холодные души, когда в их полузакрытые двери словно прохладный ветерок скользит это неоклассическое произведение от -Jordi Forniés-. Вдохновляющая работа, помогает задуматься о самых важных в жизни вещах…”

-Nagamag.com

Artist shared few words with Nagamag behind this inspiration:

“My new single ‘Le Berry’ is out today, a piece that i composed in my piano just thinking about a special place I have in France. Sometimes a simple melody becomes strong enough to bring powerful emotions. Le Berry is describing a very special place that I will call home one day.” – Jordi Forniés

https://jordifornies.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/jordifornies.artist
https://www.instagram.com/jordifornies

Chafa Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , , , |

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Nagamag:
Which are the genres that describe your music style better?

Chafa:
Piano-led, cinematic, & ambient contemporary classical music.


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Chafa:
I began teaching myself piano when I was twelve years old, but I always loved music. Growing up in the Bay Area (California), I was introduced to several different cultures and styles of music.
It wasn't long before I felt the need to express my own thoughts and feelings through art, and piano was the instrument I felt the most connected to.

Before the pandemic, I would perform locally, but after spending time recording and releasing my music during this last year, I have my eyes set on creating music for film and potentially collaborating with other composers and orchestras.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Chafa:
Seeing performers on the street as a kid really inspired me. Watching their music move people to dance, smile, laugh, or cry was inspiring. I wouldn't learn an instrument for several more years, but my love for music continued to grow until I felt the urge one day to sit down and play some of the songs I loved so much.


Nagamag:
Many artists listen to genres that they are not producing music for. Which track is your favorite that is NOT similar to yours?

Chafa:
Beirut "Elephant Gun"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which is the track from a similar artist you admire?

Chafa:
Max Richter "Written on the Sky"

Discover & Listen to Chafa

Chafa on Spotify

Chafa's Signature Track

Chafa on Social Media

Chafa's Website

Lewis Bolland Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , |

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Nagamag:
Which are the genres that describe your music style better?

Lewis Bolland:
Modern Classical, Relaxing Piano, Lightly Cinematic.


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Lewis Bolland:
Performing the piano since the age of 7, Lewis’s home life was filled with music. His formal music education began early with piano lessons given by his grandmother Elsie. By the time he was 14 Lewis was being called up as the pianist & keyboard player in school performances and at the age of 15 he was in the rehearsal room as a student teacher, giving lessons to his contemporaries.

After composing and performing for his GSCE & A Level music exams, Lewis went on to support some of the UK’s biggest artists and toured the country multiple times as a session pianist & keys player. In late 2014 Lewis set up ‘Private Piano Tuition UK’. A modern classical piano school who teach over sixty students per week and currently holds a 100% pass rate with Royal Schools Of Music. During the summer of 2019 Lewis performed as a dinner pianist on ships across Europe and came home to start his residency with the Four Seasons Hotels in September. This has seen him go on to perform in front of celebrities, high profile figures, royalty and in the homes of some of the wealthiest families in the world.

After discovering composers such as Ludovico Einaudi, Hans Zimmer and Yann Tiersen in piano lessons with his grandmother, Lewis fell in love with writing modern classical and started working on an EP with close friend Ben Selley. Following six months writing originals and re-arranging well known tracks Lewis & Ben recorded their debut EP ‘TIME’ at Air studios, London and released it on the 19th August 2019 under ‘Bolland & Selley’.

‘Moments’ is the first solo release from Lewis in 2021 and was inspired by the different seasons and the feelings they conjure up during the course of a year.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Lewis Bolland:
I remember my grandmother teaching me how to compose and I fell in love with writing piano pieces. Most days I would write a new piece just to get better and better and I still love composing just as much today!


Nagamag:
Many artists listen to genres that they are not producing music for. Which track is your favorite that is NOT similar to yours?

Lewis Bolland:
Sigala "Sweet Lovin'"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which is the track from a similar artist you admire?

Lewis Bolland:
Ludovico Einaudi "I Giorni"

Discover & Listen to Lewis Bolland

Lewis Bolland on Spotify

Lewis Bolland's Signature Track

Lewis Bolland on Social Media

Lewis Bolland's Website

Maria Grönlund Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , |

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Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Maria Grönlund:
Neo-Classical, Modern Classical, Contemporary Classical


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Maria Grönlund:
You may know Stockholm’s Maria Gronlund from her weekly live stream ‘Meet Me At The Piano’ on Facebook. Or from her debut album ‘Songs of a Sad Sailor’, which was a Spotify Classical Pick. Or even from her short collection last Autumn called ‘Colors of my Mind: Pt. 1’, which was the first of three releases that will go to make up her next LP ‘Colors of my Mind’. Part 2 of the collection is nearly upon us with three pieces of neo-classical imagination due later this month.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Maria Grönlund:
There was a lot of music and singing in my family, and I was five or six years old when we inherited a big, black, shiny piano from my grandfather. My mother had always dreamed of learning how to play the piano, and she found us an Austrian piano teacher named Helga, who taught us both to play in her house. I was tiny, and I got my lessons at a brown piano in her basement, and then I stood and peeked into the living room with the two grand pianos standing opposite each other, while my mom got her lesson. I was totally fascinated by the instruments and imagined they were like fairy tale ships to another world, since they gave out such amazing sound. I've been in love with the piano ever since.


Nagamag:
Tell us more about the project you're working on right now!

Maria Grönlund:
I'm in the midst of a project called 'Colors of my mind', which will culminate in a full album released both digitally and physically, and with an online album experience which will feature the creation process of the music and all the art involved. Artwork merch will also be an important part of this project.
It all originates from a lengthy, filmed joint improvisation I made together with an artist, Madelene Egerfält, where she painted what she heard me play and i played what I saw her paint. We both came into a state of flow and had a really intense experience. The painting is just amazing, and I feel it depicts both her and me, and the situation it was created in.

I've used the musical material from this occasion and built it out to ten piano pieces that I release in three rounds. EP Colors of my mind Pt.1 was released in the late fall, Pt.2 now in March, and Pt.3 and thus the full album is planned for late spring/early summer this year.


Nagamag:
What's the ethos behind your music?

Maria Grönlund:
I feel so rich having music in my life. It helps me cope with stress and difficulties. I often play to calm myself down and to sort my thoughts and feelings out. My vision is to share the feeling of relief and joy I get from playing with people who might need it.


Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Maria Grönlund:
Imogen Heap "Earth"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Maria Grönlund:
Poppy Ackroyd "Time"

Discover & Listen to Maria Grönlund

Maria Grönlund on Spotify

Maria Grönlund's Signature Track

Maria Grönlund on Social Media

Maria Grönlund's Website

Jaap Mol Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , |

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Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Jaap Mol:
My main genre is neo classical. But I tend to expand it to ambient electronic music with some beats where I feel they add something to the music.


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Jaap Mol:
I started taking classical piano lessons when I was about 6 years old. I don't exactly remember why it were piano lessons and not another instrument, but I kept playing for years. I even played church organ for while, but discovered I'm way more inspired by a piano.
When I was around 15 years old, I discovered punk bands and that was all I wanted to play from that point on. So I bought a bass guitar, started a band and quit my piano lessons when I was 18. Since then I played in all kinds of bands, mostly pop punk, but also bands inspired on those really cool emo core bands from the zeros which I still love.

But when I finished my study, that musical environment dried up and so did the bands. I went back to my keys, sang in a a capella group and worked on some music on my own but never really got back to it; life happened and I got a job as a teacher. Back then I thought I'd never do any serious music at all ever again.

But then a friend of mine started a band and needed someone to play keys and that's how I got back into music. It worked out really well and I started playing in bands again, but this time no punk and bass guitars, but keys in pop, pop-rock and electro pop bands.

Meanwhile I discovered that my love for pop music and my interest in quiet piano and string music could be mixed pretty good and I started experimenting with what turned out to be the neo classical ambient music I create now. But I am always tempted to try new styles and experiment with other genres. Right now, for example, I worked on a live show for which I remixed all my tracks into an ambient electronic hybrid DJ-set.

That's what I love about music the most; I get bored quite easily, but never with music. It's an endless source of inspiration.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Jaap Mol:
I think, funnily enough, that first feeling when I heard a punk track on the radio has been one of the most important moments to spark my music career. I waited for weeks, glued to the radio, to record that one song to tape, because I never heard anything like it. That was a really important moment, because that was when I realised that it was actually possible to create something myself.


Nagamag:
What inspires you to create new music?

Jaap Mol:
Everything I create in music always starts with a sound I love. That can be the sound of a beautiful old piano, something I come up with when tweaking a synth, or just a sample from a plugin in my DAW.
I'm not a very technical player, and at first I saw that as a limitation. But I learned that to be really creative, you have to set boundaries and limitations, and mine forces me to really dive into a sound I love, and create something beautiful from that. I'm embracing that now, and I'm really happy with how it turns out.


Nagamag:
What does your creative process look like?

Jaap Mol:
I like to do a lot by myself. I'm kind of a control freak, so when I didn't find what I wanted to create elsewhere, I wanted to master the whole process. I compose and produce while writing, just like pop records.
Sometimes I ask other studios for help because they have better equipment, but most parts I record at my own place. I like to do the mixing myself as wel, because a lot of mixing happens during the production.

I like to work with concepts for my music, so that's why I prefer to do al the artwork, photography and video's myself as well. To master all theses parts of the creative process takes a long learning curve, but I like to be curious and just love discovering new things to improve. It's an infinite playground.


Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Jaap Mol:
Sufjan Stevens "A Little Lost"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Jaap Mol:
Jon Hopkins "Echo Dissolve"

Discover & Listen to Jaap Mol

Jaap Mol on Spotify

Jaap Mol's Signature Track

Jaap Mol on Social Media

Jaap Mol's Website

Kristine Bratlie Interview on Nagamag

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , , , |

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Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Kristine Bratlie:
I like to call my music style a cross over between classical piano music, film, musical and jazz. It stretches in multiple directions, often even inside one song.


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Kristine Bratlie:
I am a norwegian classical pianist that developed into a composer, curios about HOW I could reach peoples heart with my music.
My musical education is from academies in Oslo, Norway and Salzburg, Austria (the birthplace of Mozart).
After turning back home, doing concerts and teaching with classical piano literature, I eventually started publishing music, both piano, chamber music and singing.
Now I live in Sweden, in a small town called Aneby.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Kristine Bratlie:
I started to play piano at the age of 9, and had many fine years developing. But what I think gave me that boost, that feeling of joy and meaning was when I began singing (and playing) in a gospel choir at 13. I felt this inspiration from the harmonies, the rhythm, the joy. It became really a manifestation of music in my soul.


Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Kristine Bratlie:
Tiziano Ferro "Lo Stadio"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Kristine Bratlie:
Ludovico Einaudi "Una Mattina"

Discover & Listen to Kristine Bratlie

Kristine Bratlie on Spotify

Kristine Bratlie's Signature Track

Kristine Bratlie on Social Media

Kristine Bratlie's Website

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