Max Richter: ‘24 Postcards In Full Colour’

Following his work with author Haruki Murakami and actress Tilda Swinton, Edinburgh based pianist Max Richter's new project sets out to prove it’s good to talk.

Concept albums are usually a bad idea, especially when mixed with the art world, but Richter is an artist not scared of a challenge. His latest project, ’24 Postcards In Full Colour’, centres around mobile phones, and in particular ring tones. Far from Crazy Frog, Richter’s 24 pieces of music, no longer than three minutes long, are designed to evoke a strong emotion, painting a stream of evocative images.

After working on a number of European film scores, he decided to approach the album using only piano, strings and shortwave radio snippets, and the result is not always an easy listen. The tracks conjure up short scenes, each with its own tone, which is usually a blend of sorrowful sweet strings or a solitary piano loop that gives the album a haunting quality.

The songs were created to fit in any order, but despite this it’s not a collection of disjointed sounds, and makes for a surprisingly richly textured album. An instrumental piece of this quality is refreshing. With no reliance on catchy hooks or a powerful lead singer, the complexity of each track shines through.

Released on 21st July 2008 by Fat Cat Records.

Written by Carl Williams.