Originally conceived as a Royal Ballet-commissioned collaboration between composer Max Richter, choreographer Wayne McGregor and artist Julian Opie, Max Richter’s gorgeous score to ‘infra’ is deservedly given life of its own in this album-length release from FatCat’s instrumental/orchestral imprint 130701 Records. Yup, turns out Ballet-rock kicks arse. Twinkle-toes ALEXANDER BRITTON dons his tights to tell you why.
Max Richter – Infra.
Release Date: 19/07/2010
There are few things more puzzling than the appeal of something you just don’t ‘get’. Take Dairylea. To me, it is an insipid white paste, despair in triangle form. Now, take Sigur Ros. I would have thought there was no place in the world for music that doesn’t offer instant gratification, but it appears that, despite the fact that millions are overworked and underpaid, some are finding the time to listen to something more complex – and far more beautiful – than the latest single from Lil’ Wayne. Infra, the fifth album from composer Max Richter, has been created with this audience in mind. The 13 tracks will not make you stand up and listen, but nor will they ease you into a coma; they are fragile, awe-inspiring, well-crafted compositions that will mesmerise.
Opening track Infra One begins with a scattering of Morse code and radio static, before being accompanied by a sorrowful violin and cello combination, playing a delightfully simple and yet incredibly powerful melody before soaring high above the backing ambient noise, and subsequently crashing back down to Earth again. The album continues in similar fashion, with prosaic melodies, whether they be played on piano or by stringed instruments, creating expansive soundscapes. Like Sigur Ros before them, these crescendos are intense, and yet fundamentally simple; Richter has created a rich album along the lines of a guitar-less Silver Mt. Zion, or a more compact Godspeed You! Black Emperor.
You get the impression that every track on Infra has been thought out in an incredibly precise fashion, nothing is present in the recording out of chance. This, coupled with Richter’s comprehensive understanding of the discipline in crafting modern classical music – as layer, texture and melody are combined to charming effect – lead to Infra being a fine example of how minimalist, contemporary ambient music should sound: strong, yet unimposing.
By Alexander Britton
Tags: fat cat, infra, max richter
