By Kelsey Simpkins
The masters aren’t all dead. And if you’re a fan of Amélie, you’re in luck. Jacob Pavek has composed the next soundtrack of the decade, or rather, one of the best modern classical albums on this side of the globe. A small genre, to be sure, but no less of one. Amidst a scene, and a nation, bursting at the seams with every variation on indie rock, Pavek explores the wordless side of a contemporary LP.
Following 2012’s release Bloom, a collage of 15 short tracks for piano and cello, Illume plays a line closer to the traditional full-length, with a stream of 11 tracks for piano and violin. Influenced by other modern artists such as Nils Frahm, Olafur Arnalds, and Philip Glass, Pavek takes full advantage of a compositional medium which allows for blind interpretation, instead of telling a specific story. While titles hint at themes, or perhaps certain occasions, the listener draws their own meaning from each piece. Lyrics be damned, the emotional capacity of these tunes is something to be rivaled with.
Aiming for a cohesive end result, Pavek opens Illume with both purpose and patience. His fingers act as a voice, creating a distinct tone and pace that links the tracks together. It’s easy to get lost, however, in the moments that songs such as “Illume” and “Wings” create, entrancing the mind into a meditative state of being, not unlike watching a painter in action. During those such as “The Yield,” it is easy to forget all else as such a piece of beauty unfolds upon the ears. Leah Ottman’s violin blends seamlessly into the fold on this track, as if born in the same moment together.
Yet at other times, strings feel almost forced, placed on top as an afterthought, or perhaps just a bit too purposely composed. In “Seasons” and “Dreams of Light,” the minimalism of composition brings violin to the forefront. And while not a negative aspect, it distracts in a way from the rich piano-based focus of the rest of the album. When keys take priority, the cohesiveness of the whole is unquestioned.
I was able to get a few insights into Pavek’s world, including the title track “Illume.” Initially, the string parts were composed by Pavek, but then he would “have her [Ottman] improvise afterwards to see if that sparked any new directions,” which often did. Pavek also had the opportunity to record at UW River Falls, where he was able to “send their beautiful Steinway through the tape delay… That was an epic recording experience for sure.”
Arguably, it’s an epic listening experience as well. “Songs and Mothers” comes to mind as a stand out piece, in which strings allow for a transcendence of sorts. “Joey” harkens back to the likes of Erik Satie and his Gnossiennes, or possibly Grieg, which are profound discoveries for any piano player or appreciative listener. But the growth for Pavek I hear most in “Wings,” which breaches the 6 minute mark. A sign of losing one’s self in the music, and allowing it to speak as long as it desires, overpowers the composers’ wishes for marketability in this instance. And that, truly, is a sign of composition for the sake of composition, and a win-win all around.
Pavek points out, however, that for modern classical music, “I don’t think there is much of a scene here in the Twin Cities, and that is something I would like to change.” A slight marketing struggle in comparison to other (more rock-based) musical ventures, Pavek wasn’t sure who to send his finished product to at first. “So when Harnes Krezter discovered me and asked if I would release Illume on his label Unperceived Records, I was happy to.” Partnering with a label in Europe made sense, where the history of classical is intrinsically embedded, and has led to all sorts of positive reactions. Pavek commented: “It has been extremely cool to see how this record has made an impact on so many different people from different backgrounds all over the world. I’m really grateful to have that experience.”
Pavek is no stranger to other genres, as he is a member of Minneapolis’ beloved Taj Raj as well as A Piano In Every Home, but this multi-disciplinary musician has finally released an album worthy of his own personal vision. Partnering with equally talented Ottman, Pavek has created not only a work of music, but a work of art. Illume’s beauty and restorative power make it a unique stand-out in the Twin Cities, and a musical contender on a global scale.
https://jacobpavek.bandcamp.com/
http://www.unperceivedrecords.com/jacob-pavek.html
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