My Favorite Records of 2004 - #3 - Max Richter The Blue Notebooks (Fat Cat)

I usually describe this record as "contemporary classical" to people, which, despite being an oxymoron, seems to be the most apt. It's the kind of record that your grandmother might like, provided that she doesn't listen too closely.

On the other hand, "Shadow Journal" shows us that classical and dance really don't have to be that far apart if we don't want them to be. The two solo piano pieces, "Horizon Variations" and "Vladimir's Blues", are among the prettiest things recorded this year; they work because Richter isn't afraid to let pure melodies exist on their own, for their own sake. Unlike many modern composers, for Richter, music is not a largely academic exercise, even if he does use small clips of a woman reading from Kavka's "Blue Notebooks" (hence the title).

So, yes, pretty, wintery music. An easy pick for the #3 record of the year - The Blue Notebooks is a record everyone can enjoy.