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

April Chung

(crossover classical, solo piano)

An one-minute solo piano miniature with playful vibes, inspired by J.S Bach ( the first piece of the Well-Tempered Clavier, volume one.), by classical-trained pianist, composer and educator April Chung

“April Chung is a classical-trained pianist, composer and educator. Born in Taipei city of Taiwan, April Chung developed her music path in Boston, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Bordeaux, France. As a composer, her compositions are often written in classical forms brushed with contemporary colours. Influenced by various musicians, such as J.S. Bach and Fazil Say, April Chung covers a wide range of different styles in her music. She also performs as a soloist and chamber musician. Ms. Chung holds a Masters of Music degree in Piano Performance from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.” (April Chung)

Luke Gajdus

(neoclassical, solo piano)

A breezy, solo piano, neoclassical composition, with an ethereal melody that gradually keeps evolving, which according to its creators wa written while in a state of trance and daydreaming… 

Luke Gajdus is a pianist and composer. He found the piano as a child at his uncle’s house in a beech forest outside London, which quickly became his refuge. He began to improvise and compose, using the piano to tap into the unconscious, to facilitate calm, to process and reflect on emotions or to change his mood. Experiencing a profound therapeutic effect in creating music guided Luke to eventually obtain a Masters in Music Therapy. In turn, this has deepened his understanding of how music can be used to bring about balance to the mind, body and heart.

Luke’s performances emphasise a state of relaxation and therapy, and have included such events as all night sleepover concerts with Benjamin Gustaffson in Europe, improvised outdoor concert with Amanda Palmer in Queenstown and playing pop up concerts around New Zealand in natural spaces.

One day, when the piano was in his van for a video shoot, Luke decided to unload it in public and play some songs. Luke saw people becoming emotional. The thought of helping people think about and understand their emotions, to help process them, to reflect, to facilitate calm, to lift their mood or simply make their day better through music felt so meaningful. Since then, Luke has been performing to thousands on Queenstown’s mountainous lakefront, treating the work as a form of music therapy to whomever needs it. Luke’s debut album In Breath, which was released 11th February 2022, continues in this vein. (Luke Gajdus)

Yan Springett

(neoclassical, cinematic)

An exquisite neoclassical piece, with high cinematic value by Berlin based artist Yan Springett’s debut release ‘Outlooks’ that will fill you with comfort!

“Berlin based artist Yan Springett is known for a very soft and delicate touch, which allows the listener to hover somewhere between dreams and reality. The hopeful melodies have been recorded on an upright piano, which is prepared with a thin layer of felt, adding some extra softness and details to the timbre of the piano. Outlooks, the latest and first solo piano EP, is about connecting with nature and perceiving all its options, details and beauty.” (Yan Springett)

Opera23

(crossover classical, avant-garde)

An avant-garde classical composition, with a compelling string quartet, by the Spanish producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Vincenzo Germano/Opera23. Ideal for a mystery flick opening…

“Opera23, aka Vincenzo Germano. Producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist, based in Barcelona (Spain). After classical studies (composition, double bass, electronic and electroacoustic music) he developed a profound interest in sound research and construction and its spatialization. His language blends the experience of repetition, reduction, through the use of technology. He has composed music for cinema, theater, installations and has produced different releases.” (Opera23)

David Gómez

(neoclassical, minimal electronic)

The 2nd single from David Gómez’s new album ‘A Letter from Mars’ is a powerful, atmospheric neoclassical piece, with minimal electronic finishing touches. Melancholic, space-y and moving…

“David Gómez is a renowned Majorcan pianist and composer born in Wattwil (Switzerland) in 1974. With more than 20 years of international artistic career, he stands out for the excellence of his music in its contemporary, classical, instrumental and cinematographic genre, and for his concerts as soloist around the world. He trained professionally in the Netherlands, perfecting his studies at the Rotterdam Conservatory on Piano, Tango for Piano and Orchestra Conducting. As a composer, he is a passionate storyteller with his piano, inspired by the most romantic love, life experiences and social justice. Between delicate melodies, ambient sounds and majestic silences, his music thrills, enamors and reaches with intensity the depths of souls and hearts. His record albums produced by the prestigious producer Joe Dworniak under his Riversfih Records label, reflect his artistic and professional evolution: The Island (2013), Pianographie (2017), Sous les étoiles (2019), and Lockdown on a piano Vol. I and II (2020) composed in Madrid in absolute solitude during confinement by COVID-19, recorded from his home with his mobile phone. In their different creative stages, each album is a journey to the infinity of his inner universe. As a musician he is a tireless seeker, demanding and lover of the smallest details. His last two works, produced by Joe Dworniak and soon available are: Spring in the Dark (2021), studio album recorded in Spain, England and Hungary, and A letter from Mars (2021) recorded at his home in Palma de Mallorca. Inseparable from the piano since he was a child, David gave his first concert at the age of 14 and since then touring has become his way of life.” (David Gómez)

Soinà

(crossover classical, solo piano)

A transcendent solo piano piece composed by the Italian saxophonist Francesco Sgroi, arranged and played by the Russian pianist Irina Bouzmakova, aka Soinà, and it’s the second from upcoming, new album… Abstract & persuasive!

“Irina Bouzmakova, Russian pianist and accordionist, Francesco Sgroi Baritone sax, tenor, alto and soprano. The Duo, thus composed, was born in 2018, from the meeting of the Russian pianist Irina Bouzmakova and the Italian saxophonist Francesco Sgroi. Contemporary, fluid and intriguing music project, first as a cover by artists such as Piazzolla, Galliano, Nyman, glass, Einaudi, Tyrsen and others, to develop a personal style and a repertoire between Jazz, contemporary and classic (we remember the collaboration in 2020 with the philosopher writer Marco Rocca in the context of the reinterpretation of the figure of Giacomo Puccini). In the winter of 2020 the vinyl recording “01 Metempsicosi” creates great attention in the field of “cultured independent” music A new album of originals will be released in the winter of 2021 and will then be distributed on these platforms. As a side project, the “HouseDanz 01” project consisting of electronic music produced and distributed under the same label.” (Soinà)

Riccardo Pietri

(neoclassical, solo piano, ambient)

Neoclassical music the Italian way… Filled with divine melodies, passion and emotion by born & raised in Milan pianist and composer Riccardo Pietri… Bella!

“Pianist and composer born and raised in Milan. Music inspired by nature and human condition with a purpose of delivering peace to whoever listens.” (Riccardo Pietri)

The Music

Christos Doukakis