by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Rasmus Faber’s first foray into ambient music with classical overtones is made as a collaboration with illustrator Ross Tran (RossDraws), interpreting his book NIMA using electronics and a full orchestra, recorded in Stockholm.

Faber, having become absorbed in the characters and settings of the book, started to think of ways in which he could provide a sonic match for Tran’s artwork. The result is an 18-track album of instrumental pieces.

What’s the music like?

As fresh as a daisy, with the air of someone who has an original voice when writing for orchestra. Faber writes music of pure ambience but manages to avoid cliches, achieving clarity of line but also a wide open sound.

The brightly lit musings take place against this incredibly airy sonic backdrop, as though the listener has been ushered outside in the experience. When you hear the shimmering tremolo strings of Opus it is like being caught in a chill wind, while New Moon has a similarly cold clarity, beautifully orchestrated and realised – with marimbas in the foreground and the strings oscillating softly. Faber has an imaginative ear with orchestration, as the probing cello theme and percussive dialogue of Iris illustrates.

Train To Nimbus establishes the watery sonic picture, its rippling piano set against hazy string chords – but Faber can do stillness too, establishing a far-Eastern setting for Healing Rain and a contemplative place for Lament. Meanwhile Dragon’s Whisper generates a chugging momentum with the strings, as does the urgent Warden, which – like The Apparition – explores an impressive depth as the orchestral sound expands.

The title track is the pinnacle of Faber’s writing, a mass of colour that washes over the listener, slow moving strings complemented by faster moving figures in the middle ground and finished off by piano flourishes.

Does it all work?

It does – the wide open sound is a joy on the home stereo and also on headphones, providing a refreshing experience for the listener.

Is it recommended?

Wholeheartedly. Rasmus Faber has achieved something special here, and it is to be hoped this is the first of many excursions into orchestral music. He has a sound painter’s ear, and makes music not just to soothe the fevered brow but to energise it too.

For fans of… Thomas Newman, Michael Nyman, Penguin Cafe Orchestra

Listen and Buy

You can listen to clips and explore purchase options at the Farplane Records website

Published post no.2,172 – Wednesday 8 May 2024