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Suite Europa: for Virtual Orchestra, Part 1

by West Riding

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1.
Wien Ruft Nach Wir 03:00
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2.
Reisender Loiblpass 05:52
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3.
od Bleda do Bohinja 04:20
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4.
Mir u Sveta Fuma 02:56
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5.
Transatlantic 02:59
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about

"Suite Europa" is, quite simply, a travelogue of sorts. I began composing and recording it in August 2023, shortly after returning from a family vacation to Central Europe, specifically to Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia (with short stops in Amsterdam and Trieste, Italy). It was my second trip to this region, with my first visit taking place in September and October 2001.

The work loosely follows the typical "suite" form common in classical and chamber music of the 15th-18th centuries in Western Europe - a series of short connected pieces usually meant to accompany highly-structured social dances in the royal courts. In my version, I play fast and loose with the traditional structure, while still retaining certain elements: the first "movement," titled "Wien Ruft Nach Wir," is my counterpart to the traditional "Allemande," a German-influenced piece in 4/4 time. The remaining pieces in my work retain the 3/4 meter of the traditional courante and sarabande, with the exception of the final track.

The "Part 1" in the title alludes to the fact that there will be a Part 2, consisting of another 5-6 tracks, similarly inspired by my visit to Central Europe, but still in progress as of the release of this album.

And of course, the word "Suite" in the title is a bit of wordplay, as a homophone with "Sweet." Memories of our time in these beautiful countries are sweet indeed.

credits

released March 30, 2024

James M Gregg - virtual orchestra, electronics, trumpet, flugelhorn
composed, arranged, recorded, mixed and mastered by JMG at Rioghal Studios
album art by JMG, photo of the steeple of Cerkev Sv. Janeza Krstnika (Church of St. John the Baptist) at Lake Bohinj, Slovenia by JMG

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West Riding Portland, Oregon

West Riding (aka James M Gregg) produces ambient, neo-classical and cinematic music inspired by quiet mountains, intrepid journeys and Zen koans, as well as artists such as Olafur Arnalds, Phillip Glass, Max Richter, Arve Henriksen, Hans Zimmer, Claude Debussy, Erik Satie, Gustav Mahler and many more westriding.net ... more

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