“Wading” by Meg Blumberg is an elegant, delicate piece evocative of a long walk or a distant memory. Fitting in well with film/soundtrack compositions, the work dances and flows around the listener in a whirlwind of air and space.

“Wading” is clearly neoclassical, but is a strong composition that does not rely on too many tonic-subdominant-dominant relationships. Rather, the use of suspensions and shifting textures help the tune break out of the mold that so many neoclassical pieces are confined to.

What is most striking to me about “Wading” is its use of rhythm and lack thereof. The rhythms are seemingly free in certain voices at certain times, but not so much that things are awash. The piano punctuates the work rhythmically at other times, but does not stay locked in too much. In other words, Blumberg balances “Wading” very well between strict and free-sounding music.

Take a listen! This is a great addition to the Listen to This series.

Dan

For more music composed in a balance of free and strict, check out Searching for Now.

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Meg Blumberg – Artist Bio

Influenced by the likes of Dustin O’Halloran, Ólafur Arnalds, Max Richter and other neo-classical giants, Meg’s piano compositions are truly a blend of old and new. Her style is deliberate and visceral, weaving rich narratives through measured shifts in movement and dynamics. She oftentimes implements a melody-driven discipline in composition, whereby the central theme of a piece takes an unrivaled lead and establishes the character or mood with which to build around. This is not to say that Meg’s work is minimalist; she isn’t afraid to take a piece somewhere unexpected or furnish it with complementary layers. Rather, she doesn’t let harmony or instrumentation overshadow the main communication of her work, which is to be found in the melody.