Jean-Michel Blais — aubades (2022) [Hi-Res]

FLAC (tracks), Lossless[24bit-96kHz] | 42:01 | 697 MbClassical, Instrumental

aubades, the new album from post-classical piano icon Jean-Michel Blais, marks the Montreal-born musician\’s transition from pianist to composer, as he writes for an ensemble for the first in his career. Written during the pand and following a breakup, Blais has used his distinctive musical voice to create a defiantly uplifting record with glistening instrumental textures and warm major tonalities. The album\’s title refers to the \»aubade\», a Middle Ages morning love song about lovers separating at daybreak, a dawn serenade.
Despite the difficult global and personal backdrop, Blais described the writing this album as a \»fruitful moment of creativity for me. We started having hares in the park, beautiful butterflies flying everywhere. It was a of lots of blossoming, and also a moment when I blossomed from being a pianist into a composer.\» Musical ideas captured in over 500 recorded piano improvisations were transformed by Blais into 11 compositions performed by a 12-person ensemble. During the composition process, Blais collaborated with Alex Weston, former music assistant to Philip Glass. The musicians were recorded with close-up microphones, creating a richly intimate atmosphere that captures the human behind each instrument, from the mechanics of the woodwind keys to the snap of a double bass string.
Tracklist
1. murmures (5:07)
2. passepied (3:51)
3. nina (3:14)
4. flâneur (2:13)
5. ouessant (3:55)
6. if you build it, they will come (4:24)
7. amour (4:38)
8. yanni (4:40)
9. absinthe (2:49)
10. carrousel (2:27)
11. doux (4:48)