On Alster, a new work from the artist Forndom, the listener is invited to approach the practitioner from a different perspective. Because here, works already given flight are re-imagined in the stark, sparse light of new, piano-led arrangements that lay the compositions bare for all to see.
The first thing a listener familiar with these works in their original iterations might note is the bareness of the reworked vessels. On the piece Yggdrasil, for instance, where once drama and bombast lay in equal measure thanks to the intelligent reinforcement of the piece’s melodies with hand held drums and other percussion, there now remains only the very essence of what the composer intended for the piece; However these skeletal remains serve to underline the intrinsic strength of the piece. Little, if anything, is lost in the new setting – and new horizons are perhaps opened for the listener who is blessed with sufficient imagination to ‘fill in the gaps’.
Listeners who come to these pieces without prior knowledge of the Artist will, of course, bring perspective untainted by experience to their appreciation. A modern cliche is that a good song will out, whatever it’s setting. Clearly here this is the case; On a purely musical basis the appeal of sombre, yet conversely uplifting melody on noir pieces such as Fostersonen is clear. The core compositional skills of the artist remain strong, and the piece stands firmly on the merits it displays as a work with as much appeal in it’s new setting as the old.
With an ability to please listeners of both prior standing and neophytes alike, the artist – who can no doubt be said to have taken a gamble by exposing these compositions in such a manner – has undoubtedly been successful in his exploration of the inner space of his own work. Congratulation should be given for this achievement.
Forndom releases on October 6th.
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