Limited UK 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Richter is a British-based, German-born pianist and composer. The Blue Notebooks is his 2004 sophomore solo album, a distinctive and adventurous work that is beautifully recorded and cin... more »ematic in scope. 11 tracks. Fat Cat. 2008.« less
Limited UK 180gm vinyl LP pressing. Richter is a British-based, German-born pianist and composer. The Blue Notebooks is his 2004 sophomore solo album, a distinctive and adventurous work that is beautifully recorded and cinematic in scope. 11 tracks. Fat Cat. 2008.
CD Reviews
Craig Armstrong meets Philip Glass: it's that good!
Manny Hernandez | Bay Area, CA | 02/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album arrived in my life right when I needed it. They say these things happen. It came bundled with a couple other ones from the hands of a friend who knew me too well, and knew how to help me through the period of grief our family is going through after the recent passing of my dad.
When I played the album for the first time, I was touched like I felt touched when I first listened to M83 not too long ago, or when I discovered Sigur Ros in 2001. Max Richter, borrowing influences from Arvo Part, Brian Eno, Philip Glass and Steve Reich, is a new breed of composer, who blends in modern compositional styles with electronic sounds. He creates a sound that resembles minimalism, avoiding being self-indulgent, and keeping the listener involved and engaged with some of the most touching music you will run into.
When listening to Max Richter for the first time, I thought of Craig Armstrong. The latter was involved with Massive Attack, while the former was involved with Future Sound of London. But Richter comes from a much denser and sophisticated musical place. When I think of him, I think more like Craig Armstrong meets Philip Glass. It's that good!
No track in the album is better. The entire piece is outstanding and worth every minute of it and every penny you put into it. I wish you all the same musical joy this album has brought to my life."
Philosophical Modern Classic
Schaeffer | Netherlands | 07/02/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Max Richter studied classical music, but also is playing around with computers and samplers. After collaborations with the likes of Future Sound of London, he now makes a kind of modern classical music. Somewhere between minimal music, movie soundtracks, ambient and triphop lies this musical masterpiece. It's almost like a soundtrack to a film, very visual. It has a lot of Phillip Glass-like slow repetitive string-arrangements, but much more interesting to listen to. Because here and there are hidden electronic sounds, but very sparce and subtle. It gives it that little modern edge, which also makes it strange and unpredictable. For example, you are now and then shaken out of your musical dream by the sound of a crow or philosophical poems that are read, over the sound of an oldfashioned typewriter. Very interesting, very subtle, beautifully orchestrated, fantastically crisp produced. This is a musical masterpiece."
Achingly beautiful
E. J. Wright | St. Pete., FL USA | 10/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Max Richter has created a modern masterpiece in 10 tracks; each stunning, completely unique and mesmerizing. If you're reading this review, you're considering this album for one reason or another, and all I can do is tell you that you must.
I find myself craving 'Shadow Journal,' 'Vladimir's Blues,' 'Horizon Variations,' and 'The Trees' every single night and I've had this album for about a month already. Every piece of this album adds layer upon layer of strings, utterly gorgeous piano, and the slightest electronic element that comingle so perfectly you'll wonder how your luck got so good that your ears have stumbled upon this sonic heaven.
The genius that is Max Richter has another album out that I wish was available here on Amazon."
Others have already said....
G. Faville | Wisconsin | 09/15/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"what I was going to say. As I have listened to this for the past couple of months I think to myself..."there's some Glass circa Koyannisqatsi....there's some Part circa Arbos.....there's some Nyman...." etc. etc. At first listen, it seems like Richter is just borrowing ideas, but soon it becomes obvious that, yes, those comparisons can be made, but this music still has its own unique voice that makes it obviously not the work of any of the above influences.
And one of the advantages of that is if you like all of those composers (and more in their vein), you'll dig this because it takes so much of what makes them good and gives it to you not only in a renewed musical voice but in a package where you don't have to wait for fifteen minutes for a chord change. Most of these pieces are two to six minutes long. If I have any complaint to make, it's that some of the music is under-developed and I would have loved to hear Richter take some of his beautiful phrases in new directions instead of just repeating them eight or so times and ending them.
I have purchased a lot of CDs over the last few months, and this is one of the only ones that consistently finds its way into my single CD player and seems to speak to me no matter what mood I'm in. Warning(?)--as the title implies, a majority of these pieces are in a Blue mood--the rainy day, nostalgic, melancholia kind of mood. The little tidbits of typing and recitation are also very cool, and perfectly set off the vibe of the whole disc."
Album of the Year
T. Reardon | Seattle, WA, USA | 10/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the one that did it for me in 2004, alongside perhaps Arcade Fire.
19th C. Romantic right up to the line of pretension, while never crossing. Minimalist to the point of (um?) exhaustion. It's like the soundtrack to the film you always thought you'd make.
The solo viola with simple back synth, and the traditional quartet, stark piano (though one relatively croony track, 'Horizontal Variations".) A few moments of dry romance(this is definitely a European record, I can't see this being made in the States), tracks that I've put on mix cd's as openers or closers. But mostly a record that rewards the 40-minute session.
I am slightly confused that I've introduced this record to so many hipster friends but never had it introduced to me.
Anyone who buys this and doesn't like it after a couple listens, I'll buy your copy.
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1