Neoclassical Suite is a column that will present 7 recent, distinctive tracks of the neoclassical-modern classical-contemporary -and beyond!- music field. 

Note: All Bio/about sections provided/written by the artists.

The Players

Hanna Kekäläinen

(modern classical, cinematic)

“Background in classical piano but also teaches contemporary piano, lounge, pop, rock etc.

Started piano lessons when 4 years old. Graduated from Vantaan Musiikkiopisto as a teenager – major in classical piano and minor in classical singing.

Has been a piano teacher for over 15 years first as a hobby and now as a profession. Started composing in 2018.

Biggest musical influences The Piano album by Michael Nyman, Philip Glass, Yann Tiersen, preludes by Bach and soundscapes of Debussy

Also works as an abstract artist. hannakekalainen.com” (Hanna Kekäläinen)

Jade Ashtangini 

(crossover classical, solo piano)

“Jade Ashtangini is a musical yogini, Modern Classical Pianist, Composer, Cellist, Yoga Mantra & Kirtan Chanter/Singer, Yoga Teacher, Photographer based in Dallas, the U.S. and Taiwan who loves music extremely. She has been classically trained since her childhood, the music composed by her is so soothing and graceful, some are even quite lively rhythms. Her music genres are modern classical, contemporary, minimalist, new age, classical crossover, ambient, yoga meditation, mantra/kirtan, and she sings for her own songs sometimes.

Her singles, “Life As It Is,” “Long Time Sun(Instrumental) ” and “猫のぬくもり” have been featured on editorial station such as Relaxing, New Age Instrumental and AMP: Fresh Cuts by Pandora Music. What’s even more pleasing is that her latest single, “A Rainy Day in Temple” has been also featured on Spotify editorial playlist of “cottagecore piano.”

For Jade Ashtangini personally, music is the greatest spiritual nourishment in life, and she enjoys being immersed in the beautiful music of her daily life. She loves to compose calming piano, cello & spiritual yoga music for people to practice yoga, meditate, study or simply just to relax. Do enjoy her seductive music while you’re listening to music.” (Jade Ashtangini )

Elise Hammer

(modern classical, solo piano)

“I am Elise Hammer. Norwegian composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. My music is to a large extent an expression of my slow and long recovery from years of serious illness. My first single “The Swan” is about finding joy in the simple and beautiful things in life.” (Elise Hammer)

Neuhaus

(neoclassical, epic music, chamber music)

“NEUHAUS is the solo loop project of Yves Neuhaus (The Amber Unit, Mistral).

NEUHAUS surrenders to the fascination of live loops and celebrates the constant repetitions and overlays.

NEUHAUS layers and creates sound worlds with violin, double bass and drummachines. Not only does he loop the melodies of the violin and the deep lines of the double bass, but he also uses various percussive possibilities of the two instruments. The musician completes this sound with natural live percussion and electronic drum beats.

Time should be taken for his creations – NEUHAUS’ music is the opposite of fast-paced.

It is music to dive into deep spheres, music to pursue dreams, music to reminisce in dancing memories and music to enjoy.

As the musical partner of cabaret artist Patrick Bardelli, Yves Neuhaus developed his solo loop setting, with which he has also been performing full-length programs since 2016 as “ifoterius” and released individual pieces as live recordings on Youtube.

With the release of the first album “Scapes & Spaces, Volume1” in January 2019 a name change takes place. From now on the musician is known as “NEUHAUS. (Neuhaus)

Colin Stetson

(modern classical, soundtrack, ambient)

“Colin Stetson was born and raised in Ann Arbor, spent a decade in San Francisco and Brooklyn honing his formidable talents as a horn player, eventually settling in Montreal in 2007. Over the years he has worked extensively live and in studio with a wide range of bands and musicians including Tom Waits, Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, TV On The Radio, Feist, Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, Bill Laswell, Evan Parker, The Chemical Brothers, Animal Collective, Hamid Drake, LCD Soundsystem, The National, Angelique Kidjo, Fink, and David Gilmore.

Meanwhile he has developed an utterly unique voice as a soloist, principally on saxophones and clarinets, his intense technical prowess matched by his exhilarating and emotionally gripping skills as a songwriter. Stetson’s astounding physical engagement with his instruments (chiefly bass and alto saxophones) produces emotionally rich and polyphonic compositions that transcend expectations of what solo horn playing can sound like.

Most recently, in a departure from his cultivated solo aesthetic, came SORROW: a reimagining of Gorecki’s 3rd Symphony; Stetson’s first major release as a band leader and the flagship album out on his record label, 52Hz (a collaboration with Kartel Music Group of the UK). 2017 also saw the release of new projects, including a self- titled debut from post-metal quartet EX EYE (with Greg Fox, Shahzad Ismaily, and Toby Summerfield) out on Relapse Records. 2018, of course, saw his score for Ari Aster’s debut film Hereditary released to critical acclaim.” (Colin Stetson)

Vincent Mai-Lien

(crossover classical, epic music)

“I’m a composer. I studied classical violin and music theory at the conservatory. I compose orchestral music on cubase with mainly VSL Library sounds.

I compose songs at the same time (I use the Ableton Live software and my electric violin).

My musical tastes range from Dépêche Mode to David Bowie, from Rover to Apocalyptica, from Three Days Grace to Skillet, via Placebo and Dead Can Dance, without forgetting classical music and film music. (Vincent Mai-Lien)

Herman Mack

(written by: Chick Corea)

(neoclassical, jazz fusion, cover)

“Herman Mack is a guitarist/composer based in Atlanta, GA. Herman blends elements of jazz and americana with sparse electronic drums and rhodes bass. (Herman Mack)

The Music

Christos Doukakis