Max Richter – Infra
[130701/FatCat, 2010]
When it gets hot outside, the need for a cooler, night music grows. Max Richter is by far the best soundtrack for making the summer heat stop and meditate about the eternal things to piano chords in minor.
Infra, as all of Richter’s music is, is intimate, subtle and profound. Clear piano prevails, with additions of strings and some electronic effects. This music makes you work like those workaholics in a movie, who hang over computer keyboards, drafts, sketches and notes till dawn… The music makes you fall into a kind of work rage, switch everything else off and focus. At the same time, it can be a perfect ambience for meditation, relaxing and pondering about life. The choice of activities is all yours, Max Richter only provides aerial, light, transparent soundtracks.
The album was born from the last year’s Richter’s collaboration with choreographer Wayne McGregor and artist Julian Opie for The Royal Ballet. Separate tracks on the 30-plus minute Infra were born from a 25-minute original piece.
Richter’s special is always a masterful melancholy and bringing in a little bit (and sometimes more) of tragedy. This is especially handy when it comes to his involvement in the soundtrack for Scorsese’s “Shutter Island”, but can also be a great ambience for an easy sad mode in life.
Read & Listen:
Max Richter
Infra by max richter
