Description
#joepbeving #vinyl #vinylrecords
Joep Beving and Maarten Vos have unveiled their stunning collaborative effort on the album “vision of contentment,” released under the innovative LEITER label, founded by the renowned German composer Nils Frahm. This project marks a seminal moment for Beving, as it is his maiden voyage into the world of joint album creation. Previously known for solitary musical endeavors and the gentle giant of modern neoclassical music, Beving has now ventured into a synergistic partnership with the versatile Vos—whose resume boasts collaborations with acclaimed talents like Julianna Barwick and Nicolas Godin from AIR. “vision of contentment” blossoms out of their previous alliance on Beving’s third album “Henosis,” and builds on their unique chemistry with eight novel compositions, seamlessly blending heartfelt piano melodies with the rich textures of the cello, offering a refuge in a sonic realm grounded in serenity and contemplation.
The creation of “vision of contentment” is a profound narrative of artistic kinship and natural harmony, conjured in the seclusion of de berenpan, a secluded shed nestled in the forests near the quaint village of Bilthoven in the Netherlands. Beving and Vos, both accomplished within the contemporary classical scene and known for their emotive and minimalist compositions, channel their creative energies into an album that transcends mere auditory experience—it’s a journey of emotional amplitude. Boasting previous sessions within the creative confines of Beving’s Amsterdam studio and Vos’ space at Funkhaus, the duo found their collaborative apex in the sylvan retreat during July of 2023. Their music resonates with the tranquility of the surrounding woodlands, inviting listeners to explore an aural landscape that serves as a universal ode to life’s fleeting moments, and the acceptance of shifts that shape our existence.
The album weaves a narrative of loss, transition, and ultimately, an impassioned celebration of life; directly inspired by the valiant spirit of their friend and manager Mark Brounen’s battle with cancer. Beving and Vos approach the concept of the ‘Blue Hour’—a moment symbolizing transition and introspection—with a nuanced touch, allowing their friend’s peaceful acceptance of his fate to bathe the album in both melancholic hues and a resolve to cherish each amorphous instant. Their influences, including the evocative works of Morten Feldman and the experimental synergy of Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto, serve as a compass in their creative expedition, while their music stands bold in the face of life’s adversities. Embodying a “fuck you” to the forces of fascism and fear, “vision of contentment” emerges as an intimate paean, echoing the transformative power of love through the universal language of music.
