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

Ahren Merz

(neoclassical, cinematic)

“Ahren Merz is a neoclassical music composer and sound designer based in Zürich, Switzerland. His music is inspired by the stories that life writes and imagination beyond them.” (Ahren Merz)

Music Within

(neoclassical, cinematic)

“Music Within is the creation of Toronto based composer and musician Rob McAllister. On the most basic level, with Music Within I aim to create emotional cinematic music. From soft, dreamy, slow-moving compositions approaching the realm of ambient, to raw, emotional solo piano pieces and string-based compositions approaching upon classical. It’s an intentionally genre-breaking pursuit allowing room for the whims of inspiration and the fresh excitement of fewer rules. I like to look at it like I’m writing music for films that don’t yet exist, or that may only ever live as unique stories within each listener’s mind.” (Music Within)

Ink Sticks & Stones

(neoclassical, epic music)

“Ink Sticks & Stones is the moniker for Toronto based composer-musician Ai Rei Dooh-Tousignant. Being of mixed descent, she is constantly searching for different ways to express her many cultures, and openly advocates for a more inclusive Canadian music scene. Through her audiovisual projects, she invites us into her unique world based in neoclassical ambiant music with hints of traditional Chinese music.” (Ink Sticks & Stones)

Mark Sutton

(neoclassical, solo piano)

“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. ”  (Mark Sutton)

Klinger

(neoclassical, solo piano, cinematic)

“Christoph Klinger grew up in Rosenheim, a small town in the south of Germany. His best friend was a 120 year old Steingraeber piano on which he improvised for hours and hours every day. After graduating in philosophy he moved to Hamburg to turn his passion into a profession. Since then he´s been working as a pianist, composer and producer on various projects.

A few years ago the Steingraeber piano also found its way to Hamburg. It was carefully restored and put into service again. Ever since, Klinger’s focus has shifted to piano music again. On his Instagram channel he creates microcompositions with a maximum length of 60 seconds. His debut EP ‘Creatures’ was released in the spring of 2020 on his own label. During the pandemic, Klinger started a new project in which he composed musical portraits of people who were particularly affected by the social hardships of the time. The result can be heard in his second EP ‘Persona : Perseverance’.

Klinger’s debut album will be released in spring 2023. For the first time his piano will be accompanied by additional instruments.” (Klinger)

Sam Diassi

(neoclassical, solo paino)

“Sam is a U.S. composer based in Texas. His melancholic neo-classical compositions are inspired by philosophical teachings of self-sufficiency. Each piece is intended to take the listener on a self-reflective journey of looking inward and detaching from the external, even for a brief moment.. (Sam Diassi)

Gifts From Crows

(neoclassical)

“Richard Laurence is a composer of neoclassical and ambient piano music with a colourful background in post-rock and electronic studio projects.

Working under the name, ‘Gifts From Crows’, Laurence released his debut album, “Holding a Thought Forever”, in February 2021, a hauntingly beautiful collection of piano instrumentals augmented with samples, electronics and string arrangements.

This was followed by a solo piano composition, ‘A Resolution’ which was released on Piano Day and also the E.P. ‘Northern Film Orchestra Sessions Vol. I’ which featured 3 tracks from the album arranged for a 20 piece ensemble recorded at Stoller Hall in Manchester.

The 2nd Gifts From Crows album, ‘Stories in Slow Light’ is a collaboration between composer Richard Laurence and photographer Helena Whitten. The project consists of 12 compositions all inspired by and composed around the themes depicted in Helena’s photographs. The album, along with 4 accompanying videos will be released progressively between now and February 2022.

The music of Gifts From Crows has been featured in Headphone Commute, Stationary Travels, York Calling, Music Dances When You Sleep and CutCommon Magazine. It has also been played on Classic FM, Scala Radio, Jorvik Radio and featured on the official Spotify playlist, Classical New Releases (Gifts From Crows)

The Music

Christos Doukakis