''Songs from Before'' is the third solo album by neo-classical composer

Max Richter Max Richter (; ; born 22 March 1966) is a German-born British composer and pianist. He works within postminimalist and contemporary classical styles. Richter is classically trained, having graduated in composition from the University of Edinbur ...

, released on October 23, 2006 on 130701, an imprint of FatCat Records. The album was reissued on April 25, 2014 on Deutsche Grammophon.

Critical reception

''Songs from Before'' received largely positive reviews from contemporary music critics. '' Pitchfork'' gave the album a positive review, stating, "Richter takes techniques from the classics and modifies their approach to make more appropriate—but no less efficacious—statements for his own circumstances. Given ''Songs from Befores thematic conceit, this is appropriate: Richter isn't interested in changing the way the world hears his music as much as idealizing how he wants to hear it. He resurrects past idols for present idioms, his heroes, proclivities and experiences donned as unrepentantly as the nostalgia at Songs' core."

Track listing

* The album features readings from a number of novels by Haruki Murakami, all read by Robert Wyatt. * ''Dance Dance Dance'' (track 2, ''Flowers For Yulia'') * ''Norwegian Wood'' (track 4, ''Harmonium'') * '' South of the Border, West of the Sun'' (track 7, ''Time Passing'', and track 9, ''Lullaby'') * '' Sputnik Sweetheart'' (track 11, ''Verses'')

Personnel

;Musicians * Max Richter – piano * Chris Worsey – cello * Natalia Bonner – violin * Ian Burdge – cello *

Robert Wyatt Robert Wyatt (born Robert Wyatt-Ellidge, 28 January 1945) is a retired English musician. A founding member of the influential Canterbury scene bands Soft Machine and Matching Mole, he was initially a kit drummer and singer before becoming para ...

– readings ;Production * Max Richter – producer, mixing * Mark Rankin, Anna Tjan – engineer * Nic Shonfeld – photography

Release history

References

{{Authority control 2006 albums Max Richter albums FatCat Records albums