FrostClick.com | Discover The Best Free Downloads Online » Classical

Miracles of Modern Science: Dog Year

Mona — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 13:05:57 +0000

Considered as one of the best releases of 2011, Miracles of Modern Science paints a new approach in the unsuspecting indie rock landscape with their debut album Dog Year.

Though they may be filed under indie rock, Miracles of Modern Science is surprisingly a Brooklyn-based string centered quartet composed of Evan Younger, Josh Hirshfeld, Kieran Ledwidge, Geoff McDonald, and Tyler Pines.

What made this band stand out is how it tried to go beyond stereotypes of musical genre. Using only a violin, cello, mandolin, bass, and drums, the group implements these instruments into a rock and roll style rather than the predictable baroque styling.

Boasting a quirky title, MOMS AWAY! opens the collection with a good bopping arrangement and youthful energy. This bright and enthusiastic piece will surely attract a lot of eager ears.

Emphasizing with grandiose beats and kicks of rhythmic violin, Strangerous seems like it was concocted by a mad musical genius with the sole goal to create an eclectic piece that’s impossible to classify into one genre.

In Quantum of Solace, the band slows down a bit while experimenting on dense and dark sonic backdrops. The seamless exchange between the male and female vocals is also a must-hear.

Tracks such as Tensity, Friend of the Animals, and I Found Space take eclectic instrumentation into a whole new level. Press play and let drums, bass, and strings create an orgasmic explosion of funky, rhythmic music.

In Dog Year, Miracles of Modern Science has created a solid debut album. Their unique approach to such classical instruments is an impressive feat that will surely separate them from the rest.

Galdson: Roots

Mona — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:01:40 +0000

Galdson‘s 2006 release, Roots, is a dynamic classical album designed for relaxing and easy listening.

��

Hailing from Ortigueira, Spain, Galdson Vicente Orjales is a composer who began his musical studies at the young age of 10. As a professional musician and teacher, Galdson specializes in piano. Today, he combines teaching and passion for music, creating two albums that’s available for download under Creative Commons. In Roots, the artist offers 16 piano pieces that he had composed during his years of study.

Title track Roots open the listener with rapid flowing keys that ascends and descends in a smooth sailing manner. Old Times, on the other hand, features a slower timbre. The pauses in between the notes channels an overall dramatic vibe.

A charming simple track, Sea Heart is a blissfull piece that’s filled with clean notes that extends one after the other. Playing Together is also a love piece with a more modern vibe. I love how the piece lulls the ears as slow tracks slowly builds into rapid and heavy keys.

An ideal backdrop for dinner dates or lazy weekends, Sharing Coffee is a remarkable ensemble of high and slow keys that gently drifts in the ears.

As a whole, Roots exposes Galdson‘s remarkable talent as a composer. It is quite hard to find classical pieces that’s easy to digest and relate to, but Galdson did it remarkably well. For those seeking for pleasurable relaxing music, this is the right album for you.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – The Concert: Selections, Summer 2012

Valerie — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 14:01:25 +0000

For all the classical music lovers out there, Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is offering a great number of free classical compilations/podcasts for you to enjoy.

The Concert series features live recordings from both young and seasoned contemporary classical artists.

Their latest offering are the Selections recorded for Summer 2012. It contains 18 tracks from a host of talented musicians, playing their own versions of some of your favorite classical pieces.

It’s hard to find great classical albums these days. Even though you may argue that there is still a market for it, it pales down in comparison to the ravenous pop appetite of the masses these days. Hence, it’s always exciting to see the brave few who make an effort to get their love for stringed and classical instruments heard.

The Concert: Selections, Summer 2012 is one awesome compilation enough to satisfy any classical music lover’s craving. There are 18 tracks on the album and most are recorded live. Starting with a solo double bass number from�renowned bassist,�DaXun Zhang; the song is composed of four pieces beautifully traversing melody and emotion.

A few other cuts worth noting include Katherine Chi’s version of Mozart’s masterpieces and Musician’s from Marlboro’s String Quintet in C Major, K. 515. The Rebel Baroque Orchestra also pulled off a moody piece that’s simply breathtaking. One of my favorite tracks from the compilation.

Overall, it’s a wonderful album that soothes and gives talented classical artists a chance to shine. It’s definitely a real treat. Perhaps the best part of it all is that this one is absolutely free. Make sure to check it out and grab the download. It’ll be worth it.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States License.

Felipe Sarro: Bach

Valerie — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:01:33 +0000

If classical is more your thing, you might want to grab this little gem from Felipe Sarro. The Brazilian pianist takes on the music of one of the most influential and well-known classical composers ever, Johann Sebastian Bach.

He plays several of Bach’s original works as well as several transcriptions of Bach’s music done byRussian composer Alexander Ilyich Siloti.

Every single piece was recorded and played by Sarro on piano; recreating, reliving and celebrating the sound of the revered German composer.

Sarro has been interested in music since he first started playing the electronic keyboard at age 2. He quickly moved on to the piano and later on studied music formally at Academia Musical Fátima and Santa Cecília Musical Conservatory. Currently, he’s continuing his studies under another Brazilian pianist, Amilcar Zani.

Bach, on the other hand, was a Baroque composer who had an extensive number of compositions. He created more than 1000 pieces and there’s even a classifying system created in order to catalog his works. Known as the Bach Works Catalogue (BWC,) the naming is done with the prefix BWV then followed by his work’s number.

Sarros’ renditions feature some of Bach’s most popular and well-known works including a portion of “The French Suites.” Any classical music lover would definitely appreciate this lovely compilation. Sarro does justice to Bach’s compositions and also beautifully translates Siloti’s transcriptions. Take a listen. It’s perfect for cleansing your musical palette and rejuvenating your interest for classical music.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic License.

Kimiko Ishizaka: The Open Goldberg Variations

Valerie — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 13:01:38 +0000

Occasionally, it’s good to get away from all the trappings of pop and modern music to indulge yourself in some good old classical tunes. Luckily, there’s not a shortage of talented musicians and instrumentalist willing to take on the work of the masters.

Kimiko Ishizaka is breathing a new life to some of Bach’s greatest work in this great instrumental compilation. The Goldberg Variations is a Kickstarter funded work, which aims to record and recapture the Bach’s famous 1741 composition.

The album is produced by Anne-Marie Sylvestre and licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Born to a family of musicians, Kimiko Ishizaka began playing the piano at four years old. She was under the tutelage of her mother until 1995 and became a student of “Professor Roswitha Gediga-Glombitza at the Hochschule für Musik Köln.” She was also a part of the Ishikawa Trio, performing alongside her two younger siblings in various countries and classical festivals.

The Open Goldberg Variations is a great compilation for anybody who has a vested interest in classical music. Perhaps the best part about this piece is that it’s offered absolutely free. The proponents of the project thought that music this relevant to the classical world shouldn’t be burdened with fees so instead the group decided to license it as open source.

Indeed the album not only showcases the awesome work of Bach at one of his peaks but it also beautifully conveys Ishikawa’s talent. The record is poignant and glorious on its own, delivering something that would otherwise be lost in a world full of pop music and auto-tune.

It’s definitely a classical piece that deserves to be on your playlist. Take a listen, grab the download and make sure to spread the word.

The Open Goldberg Variations / http://kimiko-piano.com/home.cfm / CC0 1.0 Universal

Jared C. Balogh: Rhythms of Life

Mona — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:01:10 +0000

Get in touch with your senses as Jared C. Balogh’s Rhytms of Life take you on a transcendent journey of emotions and life experiences.

Jared C. Balogh is a musician/composer from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He’s also a member of the American Composers Forum. He had released numerous albums and have already collaborated with artists like Lezet, Hal McGee, Kawol and The Merricks, to name a few.

Started in July 2010 and released last January 10 under Happy Puppy Records, this musical project offers 10 tracks of experimental/ avant-garde songs written in notation or electronic sheet music.

First few minutes along the album and you’ll see its heavy foundation in jazz music. It’s basically a collection of Balogh’s life experiences and emotions of last year, interpreted in ambient musical pieces.

Kicking things off is Bridging and Mending which approaches with an uplifting and playful piano ensemble. Witty tunes induce a fun vibe all throughout the track.

Experimenting with a classical tune, Provident Winds follows with fast strums that will transport you to images of a prancing ballerinas. The Same Old Traps and Schemes, on the other hand, delves on a more theatrical sonic element. I personally like how Balogh played with all the aspect of every instrument in order to retell a story to the listeners.

Tracks like Profound Groove on the Rise, Good Morning Good Evening, and Morning Grind Evening Chill, showcase how the artist enforced no limitation on the possibilities that can be created with his music. Whether its improvising, writing with instruments, or composing in notation on music programs.

Overall, Jared C. Balogh’s Rhytms of Life is a very personal album to the artist and also to the listeners as each piece is rooted and carved from real life feelings and experiences. It is a collection that will touch anybody, anywhere in the world.

Kevin Burdick: In Your Cocoon

Valerie — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:01:21 +0000

American singer/songwriter and pianist, Kevin Burdick creates contemporary piano rock ballads that’s both soothing and relaxing.

Currently based in Utah, the singer has 5 releases under his name. Among his albums is this 4-track compilation, In Your Cocoon. It’s a few years old but it’s a great record to have if you want to dip your toes into the artists’ sound.

Sounding off a bit of Billy Joel and Elton John, Kevin Burdick is steadily making his name known worldwide. He’s performed in various key cities as well as arena sized crowds; delighting the audience with his soulful ballads while adding a sweet touch of rock.

Coming from a musical family, it wasn’t long before Kevin wandered around to his instrument of choice; the piano. Although his mom had trouble keeping him motivated, he eventually grew to love the instrument and use it in conjuction with his love for rock.

In Your Cocoon, sees the artist sharing four special songs with his listeners. Opening with the title track, this one’s a quiet cut that combines Burdick’s heartfelt vocals with his expressive piano work. It’s followed by the two minute single, Mercy, which laments a man’s struggle as he overcomes the bottle and asks for a bit of patience.

Meanwhile, She Does Her Crying Alone has a more country vibe. It’s also one of the more melodic tracks that highlights the singer’s beautiful tenor vocals. All Wrapped Up Tight In You, finishes the album in a high note. The soft ballad is short but sweet, teasing the listeners into what the artist is capable of.

Overall, the record is a bit short at less than 15 minutes but it’s enough to warrant a listen. If you enjoy mellow, pop rock then you’d most likely enjoy this compilation. Grab the download. The artist is offering this one absolutely free over at his website.

Apart from this record, you can also check out his other albums like his 2002 debut, Deep Blue America; True Stories and Other Fairy Tales (2005); We Are The Walking Wounded (2008) and his most recent one which was released two years ago in 2010, The Ivory Coast.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Flights: Anywhere But Where I Am

Valerie — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:00:36 +0000

If you’re expecting some alternative punk duo to greet you when you listen to this record, then think again. What you’ll find instead is a gorgeous blend of ethereal, folky indie pop sound that, well, sounds great as in-flight music.

The band is actually made up of duo Eric Hillman and Brian Holl. Gathering influences from bands like Broken Social Scene, Radiohead, Bon Iver, Bjork and Aqualung; the duo echoes off the same laid-back, melodic and sometimes eclectic indie folk as their influences.

Anywhere But Where I Am comes with 13 tracks and was released over at BandCamp on New Years Day 2012.

The Nashville, TN duo kicks things off with the song From The Lake To the Land. Starting serenely with simple guitars and a reflective mood, the track seems fit as a lullaby to a dark, dreary day. There’s a slight haunting feel to it, much like exploring a lush forest in the early morning.

Meanwhile, title track Anywhere But Where I Am, is a personal favorite in the album. This one is a 3 minute instrumental piece featuring classical piano playing. It’s a gorgeous track that sparks both a hint of sadness and fond memories. On the other hand, final cut, Fake Arms, combines simple guitars and Damien Rice-sounding vocals.

Overall, you’ll find some great company with this album. All of the songs feel as if they live and breathe with you and would make the perfect soundtrack to your everyday musings.

The record is currently offered at a name-your-price option at BandCamp. Apart from the duo, it also features Charles Asch and Hitoshi Yamaguchi on cello and Ben Voce on violin. Take a listen and grab the download.

Dylan Pratt: Lifters & Leaners

Valerie — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:01:34 +0000

It’s always exciting to stumble upon a record that you know will be a part of your daily music routine for a long while. Dylan Pratt and his album, Lifters & Leaners, is one of those records.

The album is a first for the singer/songwriter. Armed with an acoustic guitar, a soft and melodic voice along with beautiful lyrics; the album is the perfect capper after a long hard day at work. It also features quite a few guest musicians helping him complete the songs.

Much of the record is composed of sweet, acoustic classic folk. So expect this album to be your perfect companion on dreary days, when all you want to do is cuddle in the comfort of your bed or maybe stay-in and enjoy a quiet evening.

Dylan Pratt proves that sometimes all you need is a guitar, good lyrics and a voice to create lovely music. Lifters & Leaners takes a stripped down approach to songmaking. Almost all of the tracks exude an acoustic sound with a few actually plugging in and employing electric guitars.

Although the artist impresses with his upbeat indie rock tracks like, Soap Box and Beasties; he excels in his quiet singles best. Fall Awake has that country folk vibe reminiscent of Dan Fogelberg or most 60s/70s classic folk artist. Another track, Peace Will Never Come, is as simple as it can get. Pratt has a knack for accompanying beautiful melodic guitar playing with endearing lyrics. His expressive voice lends sincerity to the words he sings which is quite important for most folk songs like this.

Meanwhile, title track, Lifters & Leaners also exhibit this gorgeous relaxing folk sound. This last song balances with the upbeat opener and leaves listeners with a nice remembrance of the record while at the same time urging them to listen to it again soon.

Dylan Pratt definitely has his niche covered. The album features good recording with snippets of raw, even DIY quality here and there. This just adds to the candor and appeal of the record. It’s a compilation worth checking out especially for folk lovers everywhere.

California Condors: Calm Carnivore

Valerie — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:01:29 +0000

The California Condors is not just the name for the largest North American land bird, but also the equivalent of a 3 piece West Coast crew that plays some infectious contemporary indie rock along with a slight 60s/70s touch.

These Orange County natives count The Beatles, Willie Nelson and Neil Young among their influences. Indeed their distinctive sound echoes with this influence.

Calm Carnivore is a 12-track album that’s filled with skillful writing, great arrangements and spot-on performance. It’s a feat rarely seen among bands today, let alone newcomers in the industry.

The album is a first for the crew but they’ve been garnering impressive reviews so far. Their sound has been described by Brandon Ferguson from the OC Weekly as containing “…genius songwriting…smooth voice(s) and excellent guitar work.” When you listen to the band, it’s not hard to see what would prompt this adulation.

Opening single and title track, Calm Carnivore, exudes with a 60s/70s rock and roll vibe. The facial hair these guys sport aren’t just for show. Their sound makes me think that I’m listening to a hippie rock band from the years past. The melodic vocals and signature guitars play a big role as well.

Meanwhile, Leave No Mark, is a melodic track that’s accompanied by sweet guitars and that Beatle-esque vibe. Growing Weed, is a quirky little track featuring lyrics like “I wanna grow like a weed and ruin your garden…strangle all your flowers pretending I’m their friend. Stealing all their sunshine, I will see them wilt until the very end.”

Overall, Calm Carnivore is a very good record. It might not be everyone’s taste but it certainly was mine. The album caters to those who have a soft spot for folk and classic rock. If you’re into this, then you’ll definitely find a nice treat in this record. Give it a download.