I’ve not got the education nor the vocabulary to write eloquently about serious modern classical music, but with Moments, the third album from American composer Michael Vincent Waller, I feel like I at least want to try to spill some ink. Waller’s compositions for piano (played by R. Andrew Lee) and vibraphone (performed by William Winant) are incredibly lyrical and accessible for neophytes such as me. Furthermore, the incredibly evocative resonance that emanates from every note and chord conjures the feeling of floating among a sea of melodies and harmonies, drifting in a dreamlike trance.
The names of many of the pieces (e.g., “For Papa”, “Return From L.A.”, “For Pauline”, “Love”) give off a hint of the autobiographical or some sort of story arc that serves to heighten the almost familiar feeling of the music. Whether the tone is upbeat and jaunty or morose and subdued, one gets the sense of walking alongside Waller as we are enveloped in warm clouds of tone. It’s this serenity and emotional connectedness that really set these compositions apart as something truly special and unique.
The title Moments itself drives home the feeling that we’re peering into snapshots of Waller’s own life, while the prettiness of the music reveals an accessibility that feels far too uncommon in this particular subgenre of music. I would be comfortable putting this record on in many different settings and among mixed company; I’ve actually done so, and it’s been well-received by everyone who’s heard it.
I highly recommend heading over to the Unseen Worlds Bandcamp to experience the glittering melodies of Moments yourself.
