“The Neoclassical Propaganda” by Keou ISSABRE is a classical album featuring six marvelous pieces for piano, violin, and clarinet, accompanied by other orchestral instruments. This emotionally expressive album is full of dynamic contrasts and interesting orchestration techniques.
Keou ISSABRE originally composed the pieces on piano and later orchestrated them for the trio and orchestra.
The first piece, "THE NEOCLASSICAL PROPAGANDA," begins with the main trio: the piano's arpeggio with a clarinet and violin duo on top. The orchestra then enters with several chords played in a tutti forte expression. As the piece returns to the trio, the piano becomes more emotionally expressive, playing the arpeggio faster. The melody undergoes another variation, and the piano begins to play expressively with a stronger left hand pattern, while the string orchestra takes the melody to new heights. The tempo slows, and the piano plays softly with a sweet clarinet melody before concluding with the final notes. This piece is a roller coaster of emotions, with a dramatic narrative that takes the main melody through several engaging variations, making it a compelling opening piece.
"The Cambrian Explosion" features the same trio, but with a different arrangement. A mezzo-soprano vocal with augmented seconds creates an oriental feeling at the start. The piano then takes over, this time accompanied by a soft drum set. The piece builds around the piano, with the other instruments following its lead. The jazzy elements in the second half provide a striking contrast to the beginning, and the piece gradually fades away to the ambient sounds that started it.
“The Best Melody is Silence” evokes the feel of a Danny Elfman movie soundtrack, with harmonies that constantly shift between major and minor, giving it a happily gloomy atmosphere—a sensation unique to contemporary music. The orchestration grows, with the string orchestra enhancing the piano's arpeggio. The piece concludes in the heights, leaving a strong impression.
“L’horizon des évènements,” meaning "The Event Horizon," features a jazzy piano accompanied by drums, bass guitar, and choral elements. The grooving rhythm and positive mood elevate the listener.
“Ritournelle,” is my favorite piece in this amazing album, which with its chromatic descending arpeggio on piano, is an emotionally rich and expressive piece. Though short, it’s a poignant composition. The violin and clarinet solos over the piano’s sweet arpeggio are otherworldly in their beauty.
“Calme Olympien” is the closing piece of the album. It starts with an intense solo from the violin, which then passes the melody to the piano. The melodic development mainly occurs on the piano, with strings—especially the solo violin—accompanying it from time to time. The album ends with a ritardando, gradually slowing the heartbeat of the album and concluding on an emotional note.
Keou ISSABRE’s compositional style is a blend of several influences, from late Romanticism to contemporary music, minimalism, and even jazz. Despite these diverse influences, his music does not sound like a collage of mismatched styles; rather, it is a smooth and harmonized blend that engages the listener with its rich tapestry of timbres and compositional techniques.
His next album is set to be released later in 2024, and I can’t wait to hear what he will bring to the world again.
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