Songs from Before is the third solo album by neo-classical composer Max Richter, 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 Before'''s 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 – readings
Production Max Richter – producer, mixing Mark Rankin, Anna Tjan – engineer Nic Shonfeld – photography
Release history Country Date United Kingdom October 23, 2006 United States October 30, 2006
References