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

The Players

Michael Koch

(neoclassical)

Michael Koch is a pianist, composer and producer from Germany.

He loves to create music that moves us into our stories, dreams and consciousness, that finds its way directly into our hearts.

After many years writing and producing for other artists, in 2020 he went back to his first instrument-love, the Piano. With Wolfgang Kraus he released the Album Nähe & Weite, where he rediscovered the acoustic purism of the piano, with the clearness and sweetness of an acoustic guitar. The result of their collaboration are very heartfelt and peaceful songs.

HRDY

(neoclassical, new age, cinematic)

HRDY, also known as Wouter Hardy, is a Dutch composer, producer and musician. Hardy discovered the piano and played his way onto the stage with the artist Kovacs where he inhabited the role of musical director and pianist for some time.

Hardy made his 2019 global debut as a producer on the record ‘Arcade’ by Duncan Laurence. The song sits currently at #30 in the Billboard Hot 100 and Top 10 US Airplay.

Over the last months, Hardy has been working on his solo project HRDY, composing music to be released on his own studio album. Influenced by music pioneers such as Ólafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm, Max Richter and Joep Beving, his compositions blend the styles of the neo-classical era with ambient, electronic sounds, resulting in multi-leveled, immersive and cinematic music pieces.

Mark Sutton

(neoclassical, lounge)

Mark Sutton is a composer and musician who creates background and theme music with a reflective and nostalgic appeal from his studio in Dorset. His masterful approach to digital orchestration gifts him the ability to compose to brief or to picture. For his non-commissioned work, Mark doesn’t set out with a mission to create a particular piece; instead, he arrives at his pieces, guided by his fingers and directed by his soul.

Since an early age, Mark has been a master of his piano and takes inspiration from an eclectic mix of modern and classical composers and artists, from Chopin to Coldplay, there’s something there for Mark to source from.

Mark’s work combines orchestrated and pure piano tunes, it’s the perfect ’study’ music, and guides the mind, body and soul towards feelings of contentment and peace during the times you wish to relax and unwind.

His 2016 album Quest of The Spirit, offers up 12 tracks of discovery, tracks that chart the evolution of the soul’s journey, an internal voyage everyone takes. Every note, every rise and fall in the music, maps out the way ahead as the sounds escort you on your quest to the very heart of your soul.

Mark Sutton’s music takes listeners on a journey, directed by a man who has masterful control over music and a deep, innate understanding of the human condition.

ÜUCE

(neoclassical, orchestral)

Born in New Jersey, USA, musician Scott West started performing music at a young age with the support of his family and peers. With multiple projects, including Of Oceans, under his belt, Scott felt it was the time to move in a new direction and begin his work on ÜUCE, a neo-classical, ambient project.

Enjoy relaxing and reflective songs with various influences such as world, psydub, trance, etc.

Relying heavily on felt piano sounds, synths, and percussion, this new endeavor from Scott West is honest and thoughtful.

Rick Gallagher Project

(neoclassical, Christian)

Rick Gallagher Project is the cross-genre music platform of Pittsburgh based composer/pianist/producer Rick Gallagher. A career jazz pianist/educator, Gallagher brings his creative harmonic approach, melodic vision, improvisational spirit and delicate soulful touch to a blend of musical genres. His compositions have been synced to all forms of media ranging from major TV networks to film projects and many other commercial applications across the US and the globe. Gallagher’s musical markings relax, stimulate and inspire.

Luminem

(neoclassical, cinematic)

Luminem plays from the heart to bring more light, love and harmony into the world.

Inspired by composers like Erik Satie and Ludovico Einaudi, Luminem creates soundscapes to evoke feeling and reflection in the listener.

Emotive piano, with occasional accompaniment, combines gently undulating tempo and elements of space. Music that creates a background ambience or reveals intricacies on closer listening. Fragments of Luminem melodies often linger in the mind.

Lucas van Kesteren

(neoclassical, solo piano)

Lucas van Kesteren (25) is a neo-classical composer and pianist based in the Netherlands. Growing up with a background in classical music, he combines these roots with his love for modern musical genres. He studied playing piano at the conservatory in Haarlem and at the time of his graduation he released his first single ‘Libra’ in 2021. The style of music is calm and intimate, he tells his story without words and he means every note.

The Music

Christos Doukakis