Release Notes
Label: InFiné
Release: Eno Piano 2
Date: October 25th, 2024
See also: In the studio with Bruce Brubaker
In 2015, American pianist Bruce Brubaker released an album titled Glass Piano—a collection of solo piano interpretations of works by the renowned contemporary classical composer Philip Glass. In the Autumn of last year (2023), he followed up with a companion album covering a selection of iconic ambient pieces by Brian Eno. Anyone who is obsessed with Music For Airports will ravel in the acoustic solo piano versions of these tracks as they quietly ring out the familiar melody lavishly doused in the organic reverb. This fall, Brubaker returns with a second volume of Eno’s music, titled Eno Piano 2, performed on a Steinway concert grand piano, prepared with electromagnetic bows for the ambient drones and sustained textures. This time, he also shares a music video, created by the directory Julie Reali and her team, which uses mesmerising imagery to capture your attention and draw you into the depths of the instrument itself, where you become one with the incredible atmosphere, resonance and space. “The visuals reflect the deeply subjective nature of experiencing music, where each listener’s perception is unique, constantly evolving with the sound. The video mirrors this journey, inviting viewers into the inner world of a piano, where each part comes alive and transforms, reflecting how music can unfold and change the way we perceive it over time. As the music progresses, this transformation guides the viewer into a dreamy, abstract space—one inspired and shaped by the sound itself. “ As usual, I only premiere videos that add something more to the music instead of only distracting with their visual counterpart (even if it’s CGI-rendered imagery). And I think that when you watch this fantastical journey, you will agree.
We know that Brian [Eno] was very influenced by Philip Glass. Glass later created stunning symphonies based on the Berlin Trilogy [by Eno and David Bowie]. While transcribing Eno’s ‘The Big Ship,’ I noticed the same two-note ostinato found in Glass’s ‘Metamorphosis 2.’ But in Eno’s piece, the rhythmic emphasis shifts, originally performed with an organ drum machine. In my version, everything is played by hand.
— Bruce Brubaker
Once again, the full album is out this Friday, October 24th, via the French InFiné imprint. It will be available as a digital stream on all of your favourite platforms. Be sure to also check out this In the studio with Bruce Brubaker, published on Headphone Commute in 2023.