PRESENCE

I voted this as my number 1 album in 2022. It is just strikingly beautiful. Now I've got to say that the appropriateness of the prog-*rock* label may be doubted, as this quite certainly isn't rock music but rather 100% instrumental classical chamber music. Still I think that this will appeal to many prog listeners because of the wonderful marriage between sophisticated composition, very accessible melodies and mostly slow rhythms (no drums or percussion here though). This is an emotional album after all, atmospheric, calm and occasionally sad. The transparent sound world reminds me of Steve Reich (particularly the use of strings) and other minimalists (Michael Nyman,...), but despite the meditative qualities there is more change and evolution in these tracks. Some of the piano parts hark back to end 19th century classical piano music by let's say Rachmaninov. Another association is the North Sea Radio Orchestra. Despite all these connections, the album ultimately delivers a unique experience that appeals equally to the heart and the brain. I'm very happy that I came across it.