Review Summary: Nils Frahm continues to redefine what it means to be a pianist in the 21st century.
German piano maestro and composer Nils Frahm is quickly becoming one of the premier names in the modern classical scene, garnering some much deserved praise for 2009’s pair of albums, The Bells
. His uncanny knack for fairly simplistic yet enchanting piano arrangements nuanced with sparse outside instrumentation is a welcomed treat amidst the legions of cut-rate pianists whose work is peddled at mall kiosks the world over. Frahm not only has the talent of a composer but, also, the innovative ambition of those composers of old, the drive to make each work new and special. Felt
proves to be his most conceptually ambitious album yet, named for using sheets of felt cloth to dampen the hammers of his piano so that he might be able to craft lovely nocturnes in the still of his own home without disturbing his dear neighbors. (Thoughtful man.)
Aside from the felt, a series of microphones were also placed inside and around Frahm’s piano to pick up the mechanical workings of the instrument as well as the extraneous noises that come along with a man toiling away atop the bench of a pianoforte. His signature piano work is met with the intimate ambience of floorboards creaking, the airy clicking of each key returning to rest upon release of a sustained chord, and even the musician’s own breathing. The delicately played sonatinas soothe and lull, joined by their enhanced aural byproducts and the occasional arpeggiated xylophone or glockenspiel accompaniment. At times, the notes of higher register resonate off the hushed strings like a plucked harp to contrast the subtle left hand playing. “Pause” sees Nils opt to use a heavier hand, allowing the assertive chords to ring out, leading effortlessly into the standout conclusion “More”. The track opens tying together the predominant elements of Felt
into a rich yarn of piano, xylophone, and electronic backing before resorting back to the confident chord-striking and then fading away in bright electro-ambient fashion.
Already proving his prowess at the keys, it’s good to see Nils Frahm take an even further experimental approach to his compositions. He’s managed to create one of the most unique pieces of piano music in ages, and while these numbers may not necessarily stick with the listener, Felt
remains a calming and transporting journey worth revisiting on those quiet, rainy days best spent inside.