Can the dualism of life, nature and art be expressed in pure music?
This is the question the multi-talented composer Flint Juventino Beppe has set out to answer. The album Remote Galaxy is a journey in time and space, a journey given meaning by the album’s music and philosophy. The music is uncompromisingly honest, with a genuine power of its own. Using well-known acoustic technology, the composer takes us to some unusual, and, for most of us, unknown places. Flint Juventino Beppe was formerly known as Fred Jonny Berg.
Remote Galaxy continues the journey of 2L’s Grammy nominated album Flute Mystery, and again the Philharmonia Orchestra is conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy to interpret these adventurous scores. The composer’s deep spiritual interest in nature, philosophy and space is as central in the universe of Remote Galaxy as it was in Flute Mystery. Beppe’s music leaves a unique fingerprint in the artistic world: there is quite simply nothing like it.
The individual and inventive nature of his orchestral works demands a rich palette of instruments and an extended use of woodwinds, brass and organ. As solo instruments, the intense but delicate sound of the clarinet, the scope of the flute’s range of expression and the special characteristics of the rarely used viola da gamba make for an inimitable atmosphere captured in 2L’s innovative surround sound technology.
The whole spectrum of Beppe’s musical philosophy is mirrored in his works: “It’s really as simple as it is complicated – I breathe in what life has to offer, and breathe out what I have to offer life. I have given up trying to grasp what actually happens in the process from impression to expression.” Beppe is diagnosed with Tourette’s and Asperger’s syndromes, and his approach to life is self-reflective and as uncompromising as his music: “When I take a look at the mountains or the sky, I realize I cannot spend my time on anything but grandness. It’s that or nothing.”
Philharmonia Orchestra
Vladimir Ashkenazy, Conductor
Tracklist
Please note that the below previews are loaded as 44.1 kHz / 16 bit.Total time: 01:10:43
Additional information
| Label | |
|---|---|
| SKU | 2L100 |
| Qualities | DSD 256 fs, DSD 128 fs, DSD 64 fs, DXD 24 Bit, FLAC 192 kHz, FLAC 96 kHz |
| Channels | 2ch Stereo, Auro3D, 5 Channel Surround Sound, 2ch Stereo & 5ch Surround |
| Artists | |
| Composers | |
| Genres | |
| Digital Converters | Sphynx2, Merging Technologies |
| Editing Software | Pyramix, Merging Technologies |
| Financial Support | Harald Bernhard Brenne |
| Mastering Engineer | Morten Lindberg |
| Microphone Preamps | Millennia Media |
| Microphones | DPA Microphones |
| Conductors | |
| Instruments | |
| Original Recording Format | |
| Producer | Morten Lindberg |
| Recording Engineer | Morten Lindberg |
| Recording Location | Watford Colosseum, May 2012 |
| Recording Software | Pyramix, Merging Technologies |
| Recording Technician | Beatrice Johannessen |
| Recording Type & Bit Rate | DXD |
| Release Date | May 22, 2019 |
Press reviews
NativeDSD Listener
This is another one of my Top 10 Favorite Hi-Resolution Audio go-to albums. The sound stage depth is fantastic.
Another attribute of this album is that it would be great to use as an introduction of classical music to children because of the flute and general playfulness of the pieces.
Audiophile Audition
It’s rare that I am swept up in a musical experience, but that’s the case with the DSD release from 2L in Norway called Remote Galaxy, featuring the music of Flint Juventino Beppe.
The title composition sets out to express the dualism life, nature and art in pure music. Remote Galaxy is described as a journey in time and space, with sometimes powerful and sometimes reflective music that draws upon the multichannel recording process to distribute acoustic instruments in a seductive curtain of sound that envelopes the listener. The work includes extended use of brass, woodwinds, and organ.
The recording here is first rate, perhaps the most realistic and compelling rendering of symphonic music I have ever heard. My listening was in 5.1 and 7.1 and the sound was thrilling.
Besides Remote Galaxy, there are Distant Worlds, a two-movement work, Lost in September, Tightrope walking beneath heaven, and the Flute Concerto No. 2, Op. 80.
The theme of all the works is ‘distance’, and each composition ably portrays that feeling. The accompanying booklet has charts that show the location of the instruments, that change for each composition. In general, the instruments are arranged in a semi-circle, but in remote galaxy the orchestra surrounds you, with a glass harmonica coming from the center rear. According to the composer: “It’s really as simple as it is complicated – I breath in what life has to offer, and breathe out what I have to offer life. I have given up trying to grasp what actually happens in the process from impression to expression.”
The playing of the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Ashkanazy could not be better. These must have been difficult sessions, and surely the music would have been a challenge for the best of musicians. But Remote Galaxy and the other compositions never go off the rails into dissonance or ugliness. The works are all musical and emotional.
Beppe, born in 1973, has composed 200 works. He has also collaborated with Sir James Galway for flute music. Beppe suffers from both Tourette’s Syndrome, and Asperger’s, making the musical accomplishment here all the more remarkable.
Remote Galaxy is one of the finest recordings I have ever heard! Unlike a lot of so-called demonstration material, the music matches the quality of the recording. It’s an incredible artistic and technical achievement, and a disc I will return to many times in the months and years to come.
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.