Release Date: July 1, 2025
Label: Independent
Website: www.violinpassion.com /www.consordino.com
Benedikt Brydern is an award-winning composer and performer. His
scores have been featured in film, television, and on the concert stage in the
United States and internationally.
His most recent release, Piano
Passion: Arctic Fire, is a solo album that presents a unique blend
of contemporary instrumental and ambient music, with a strong influence from
classical music. The combination of piano, violin, and ambient synths creates a
sound that is both familiar and refreshingly new, inviting listeners to embark
on a musical journey.
“Arctic Lullaby” opens the album with a steady synth that
immediately sets an ambient atmosphere, followed by the entrance of the
acoustic piano. The piano, with its beautiful and tender notes, offers a serene
and meditative introduction to the music, inviting listeners to unwind and
immerse themselves in the sound.
“Drifting Ice” provides an orchestral layer of synth sounds as
the piano lightly makes its entrance to supplement that layer of ambient
texture. The piano’s beauty shines brightly here, and the gentle touch eases
the listener into a positive, relaxing frame of mind.
“Aurora Mon Amour” continues the journey with its accompanying
synth layers, and the piano is as inviting as ever, gently drawing you in. Its
mesmerizing beauty, combined with the effective use of ambient synth layers,
creates a captivating listening experience that keeps the audience engaged.
“Icicle Bicycle,” with its clever title, gives you a sense of
lightheartedness just by saying it. The music reflects that attitude with airy,
happy notes floating off the piano as the synth keeps a steady layer to float
over so effortlessly.
“White Knight” begins with the cello taking a larger role, while
the piano continues to provide a gentle atmosphere and adds substance to the
ongoing synth layers in these tracks. I must say the cello stands out
effectively as the subtle piano keys are like a layer of velvet underneath.
“Snowburn” features a more melodic synth layer backing the
piano, as opposed to the more focused, single-point concentration of the
previous track. The violin serenades the gorgeous piano keys as they seem to
float through the air, as if the violin were playing right below; additionally,
a soprano sax is added. Very picturesque and engaging.
“Frozen Fire” sounds like it could be a soundtrack to watching
billowing clouds float by in a blue sky. I remember the fascination I had with
clouds as a child, lying on the grass and looking up. The layer of synth sounds
like a mini orchestra as the piano plays.
“Blizzard Wizard” has a very light melodic feel with violin
added and a church organ sound. The tempo builds gradually, with each step
contributing to its completion. You can picture a snow blizzard as the violin
runs emulate that rapidity and movement. The piano, organ, and violin merge to
create pure energy.
“Crystal Dive” begins with emotive notes, like a person sitting
and reflecting upon things. The piano is gorgeous as usual, and then the violin
adds its substantial contributions, at times sounding deep, like a cello, for
that extra feeling.
“Polar Pool Party” sounds like it would be referring to polar
bears and penguins and how they enter the freezing waters looking for food. The
piano sounds like a lullaby to them as the synth background lulls them into
their slumber after a tiring swim.
“Lament on the Rocks” is immediately distinct, including
wordless vocals for the first time. The vocals sound in sync with the synth
effects as the piano displays its gentle and convincing notes throughout the
piece. It’s instrumental bliss with a touch of heaven.
“Requiem for a Polar Bear” relates to the pool party, except the
tone is a bit sad because of the situation those poor creatures find themselves
in. This is a beautiful piece to close out this recording. The consistency of
the acoustic piano in this and throughout is the separate symphony that makes
this listening so lovely, and this is yet one more example of that.
Piano Passion: Arctic Fire is an excellent instrumental piano and string-based recording. Those are the two main instruments, while the ambient layer of synths provides the icing on the cake. Superb musicianship and a quality recording!
Keith
“MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder
September
11, 2025
Tracks:
01. Arctic Lullaby
02. Drifting Ice
03. Aurora Mon Amour
04. Icicle Bicycle
05. White Knight
06. Snowburn
07. Frozen Fire
08. Blizzard Wizard
09. Crystal Dive
10. Polar Pool Party
11. Lament on the Rocks
12. Requiem for a Polar Bear
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