Glenn Murawski exhibits tremendous patience and restraint on the painterly “Existential Chambers”. Representing true love for the surroundings, there is something infinitely soothing about his music. By giving every gesture such a great deal of space, his music fits neatly into the modern classical tradition of Max Richter and Rachel’s in creating its own world. Arrangements feel streamlined and considerate of their surroundings. Elements too hint at chamber classical, referencing legends like Penguin Café Orchestra in their heyday or more recently Telebossa, especially in Telebossa’s usage of electronics within their delicate compositions. Highly meditative the album requires a degree of concentration to be fully appreciated. The incredible production values further add to its mystical aura.
Throughout the album Glenn Murawski’s music shows true love for its surroundings. Employing a true love for the environment Glenn allows nature to become an important ally within the journey. Every suite builds off the last ensuring that the entire narrative feels uninterrupted. Over the course of the album an unspoken story begins to unfurl. It is thanks to the incredible arrangements that the music has a living, breathing element to it. At times this quality feels nearly pastoral, exploring landscapes and geography with such ease. Instrumentally too, the album sprawls out seemingly into the infinite. This dreamy quality further adds to the album’s invitingly warm tones. Glenn’s interest in poetry becomes readily apparent over the course of the album as well, for the album appears to embrace the poetic with its emotive, passionate piece.
Not a moment is wasted on the stately opener “Beyond the Precipice”. Beginning with a careful flute, Glenn Murawski steadily leads the piece into a whole other universe. Inclusion of the classical guitar alongside a hint of percussion make it a true thing of exquisite beauty. Even with all these separate elements Glenn embraces a careful balance. Only a bell leads “The Waking Hours” at first. Akin to seeing a landscape come into focus the rest of the piece emerges from the aural ether. Resonant strings start to pour through conveying such light, akin to that of a sunrise.
A brightness pervades the whole of “The Blinding Lights”. Nearly sparkling at times, the whole of the piece sparks such joy. Great patterns emerge over the course of the piece revealing Glenn’s true talent for form. Easily the highlight of the album comes from the romantic “Cataplexy” which has a fiery passion to it. Piano skitters about on the expressive “The Conflicted Child” giving it a playfulness. With “A Fun Day in the Snow” Glenn truly touches upon the quiet joy of Rachel’s output in the best way possible. Effortlessly touching upon all that came before is the reflective closer of “A Thoughtful, Calm Place”.
Done with the greatest level of consideration and tenderness, Glenn Murawski sculpts a sound of exquisite beauty on the undeniably lovely “Existential Chambers”.
