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

Counting Chances

(crossover classical)

“words and music. sometimes just music. always truth and emotion. often sad balanced with hope and healing.

mostly acoustic piano-based pieces with cello or pedal steel guitar, sometimes light live drums. everything made with love, at the end of the day, most of the songs are about letting go and moving on with peace in your heart and healing in your soul.” (Counting Chances)

Søme

(neoclassical, solo piano)

“Søme is a Hamburg-based composer, gold award-winning music producer, multi-instrumentalist, and platinum award-winning songwriter. 

An unconventional musical upbringing kicked off his passion for writing and producing. Educated by an eldery jazz pianist in his small hometown he startet to develop an interest in composing little music pieces during his teenage years whilst figuring out music production through the local punk, hardcore and DIY scene. This way Søme gathered an eclectic knowledge about various genres that has shaped his production style today. Along the way he threw in a degree in Philosophy and Literature besides touring both solo and in bands, taking him across Europe, the US and Asia. Although he has produced and written music for (among others) Michael Schulte, Tess Wiley (Sixpence None The Richer), German Schlager stars with chart successes, countless TV ads, feature films, short films, fashion projects and whatnot – he was always drawn back to his favorite instrument and first love: the piano.” (Søme)

Sergio Díaz De Rojas

(neoclassical, solo piano)

“Sergio Díaz De Rojas is a Peruvian pianist and composer currently based in Valencia, Spain, who has had music in his blood since he was born. Raised in a family of musicians, e took inspiration from his grandfather and his grandfather’s sister, both accomplished pianists and composers. It was the latter relative —his great aunt Elsa— who first taught Sergio classical piano and became the guiding force in his musical development, introducing him to Bach and Chopin when he was 11.

Though classically trained in his youth, Sergio had an epiphany at university when he discovered neoclassical composers such as Ólafur Arnalds, Yann Tiersen, Nils Frahm, and Max Richter. “It was a very big revelation for me to discover that there were people alive, making this music that is connected to classical music but that also feels so contemporary and relatable,” he describes.” (Sergio Díaz De Rojas)

Steve Luck

(neoclassical, solo piano)

“I am an award winning composer, pianist and producer developing my work as a solo artist in the contemporary modern classical genre. In 2018 I founded the Atmospherica Composer concert series which features regular performances from contemporary classical composers.

As well as my work as a solo artist I am also an experienced film and media composer. I write beautiful, compelling, emotional music from my own recording studio in Newcastle Upon Tyne UK. From simple heartfelt piano solos to large scale bombastic orchestral masterpieces. From glitchy electronica to uplifting, feelgood, folksy instrumentals, you can hear my music on over seventy five professional productions including feature films, TV documentaries, shorts, and animations. I regularly work with a variety of music libraries. Recent track placements have seen my music used on BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 5, RTL ,Direct Star and TV2 .In 2007 I won two awards from the Royal Television Society for professional excellence in music.I am a member of the music writers committee of the Musicians Union and founder of the Guild of Northern Media Composers. (Steve Luck)

Jake Botts

(crossover classical, jazz fusion, afrobeat)

“Jake Botts is a unique voice in the world of instrumental soul/jazz music. The Nashville-based saxophonist writes songs that capture his human experience as a sensitive jazz boi.” (Jake Botts)

Olario

(traditional classical, cinematic)

“OLARIO is the new project by Austrian international award-winning violinist and composer, UNICEF Austria Ambassador Yury Revich.

Yury is a classically trained violin from 4 generations of violin players in his family and is celebrating a successful international career as a soloist performing in venues like Carnegie Hall and La Scala.

However, he always found himself locked in the traditional classical music industry box without opportunities to truly express himself.

With his new project OLARIO Yury goes outside the box he was in, working on the unique sound.

He found his artistic freedom of expression by composing, recording, and producing music fully by himself.

He is a multi-instrumentalist, recording pianos and keyboard, and strings himself, experimenting with diverse melodic waves, combining the natural warm sound of instruments with electronic soundscapes.” (Olario)

Byebyefish

(neoclassical, solo piano)

“Hello, I am Byebyefish, a French artist from Garches near Paris. I explore two main musical styles: Neoclassical Piano and Indie Rock.

In the early 2000’s I started to compose piano short pieces inspired by classical masters such as Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel or Erik Satie and by musicians like Yann Tiersen. Some other piano-vocal songs followed from 2007. Then I recorded Berceuses (Lullabies) LP album dedicated to my newborn daughter Lucie in 2011, trying to reach melodic, blissful, and streamlined piano pieces. (Byebyefish)

The Music

Christos Doukakis