News - Wise Music Creative UK

08.05.2020

Academy Award-Winning Composer Rachel Portman Releases Her Debut Solo Album 'ask the rver'

“ask the river” is exceptionally composed and performed. It was a thrill to listen to. She is working at a high level of artistry not reached by many composers.” – Philip Glass “Her frequent collaborator, director Douglas McGrath, quotes a line about Truman Capote from the movie Infamous: “'When you look at a candle, at its bright flame, at the center there’s always that little touch of blue.' And I think that’s true in Rachel’s music." – NPR’s All Things Considered Rachel Portman, the Academy Award-winning composer and pianist, releases her debut lyrical all-instrumental collection, ask the river, out today, Friday, May 8, via Node Records, and available HERE on all streaming platforms. Portman is best known to listeners for her musical scores heard in more than 100 major motion pictures. She received an Oscar for her work on Douglas McGrath’s 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, and also collected nominations for the scores for Lasse Halleström’s The Cider House Rules (1999) and Chocolat (2000). Her music for the HBO television feature Bessie (2015) was honored with a Primetime Emmy Award. With ask the river, the British musician steps to center stage for the first time, with an album of thematically related pieces inspired by her closely held personal concerns. She says, “I have a deep interest in environmentalism and protecting the natural world that surrounds us. I’ve written quite extensively and been involved in concert work about the environment and about listening to the earth. I also have a desire to work on projects where I’m free to create my ideas from scratch. I’ve been on this trail for quite a while but hadn’t ever put together an album of my own work and performed it myself.” Several earlier compositions by Portman have addressed the subject matter that underlies ask the river. In 2007, The Water Diviner’s Tale, a choral symphony written with Owen Sheers, was commissioned for the BBC Proms concerts. The orchestral piece Endangered debuted at the World Environmental Day Concert in Beijing in 2012. And Earth Song, penned with poet Nick Drake, was commissioned for and performed by the BBC Singers in 2019; its libretto drew from Greta Thunberg’s headline-making address at the 2019 World Economic Forum in Davos. Portman spent 18 months composing 13 new pieces, which palpably conjure up the setting in which they were written. “I split my life between London and the countryside,” she says, “spending a lot of time on a small farm which I am gently in the process of rewilding - so no intensive farming practices - with a view to encouraging regeneration of bird and insect life. It has a stream running through it, and when I’m there I can lose myself amongst the trees, in the grasses and under the sky. That really has been my inspiration for ask the river along with a desire to feel deeply connected within nature – for me, it’s about respecting nature as part of ourselves.” Not only did Portman write and produce ask the river, but she also took the unprecedented step of playing piano on the recording. “I’ve never performed before,” Portman says. “I’ve always been behind the scenes. It’s an absolute first for me. While I play the piano most of every day because it’s the friend that I’m with as I’m writing, I’ve never put myself forward to do that on a recording. I realised with this collection of personal pieces that I had to do it. These are very much my pieces, so it needed to be me who was expressing them.” On seven of the album’s tracks, Portman is accompanied by two well-traveled classical musicians whose playing has graced countless film soundtracks: violinist Clio Gould and cellist Caroline Dale. “They’re the cream of players in London,” Portman says. “Clio Gould is an absolutely stunning soloist who has a deep understanding of nuance in music. Playing with her, she immediately and intuitively picks up what to do with the violin, and has been sympathetic to the nature that is flowing out of the music. Both she and Caroline Dale have an extraordinary natural ability to be attuned to a piece of music. I hardly have to say anything. They played so reflectively, just breathing along with the music so easily. They were incredible.” The release of ask the river was prefaced by the release of lead-off track “leaves and trees,” and an accompanying music video that you can watch HERE. The piece then debuted in March at England’s Hastings International Piano Festival, as part of a larger retrospective of Portman’s work. The recorded version features her intricately overdubbed piano work. Also released is “much loved,” watch video HERE, and “a gift” on YouTube HERE.

08.05.2020

Academy Award-Winning Composer Rachel Portman Releases Her Debut Solo Album 'ask the rver'

“ask the river” is exceptionally composed and performed. It was a thrill to listen to. She is working at a high level of artistry not reached by many composers.” – Philip Glass “Her ...

08.05.2020

Luke Elliot Releases new album 'The Big Wind'

New Jersey’s Luke Elliot has garnered comparisons to icons such as Hank Williams, Big Joe Turner, Bob Dylan, Elmore James, PJ Harvey, and Nick Cave. His latest album 'The Big Wind' has just been awarded Rolling Stone France's "Album of The Month". Purchase/listen to album here Watch Luke Elliot's exclusive performance of 'Never End Up'

08.05.2020

Luke Elliot Releases new album 'The Big Wind'

New Jersey’s Luke Elliot has garnered comparisons to icons such as Hank Williams, Big Joe Turner, Bob Dylan, Elmore James, PJ Harvey, and Nick Cave. His latest album 'The Big Wind' has just been ...

29.04.2020

Hugar Release New Single

Multitalented Icelandic duo Hugar have released a new single and announced their upcoming album The Vasulka Effect: Music for the Motion Picture, released through Sony Music Masterworks. The new single 'Faded Reflection' is a hypnotic web of lyrical piano counterpoint and represents a perfect introduction to the full-length album, which will appear later this year. Despite the understandable postponement of the duo’s April European tour, now to be held in October, the duo are pleased to be able to give fans a foretaste of the upcoming album. 'Faded Reflection' represents the first of four singles coming this year and the band will livestream a performance of this first single on their social channels on May 8th. More info

29.04.2020

Hugar Release New Single

Multitalented Icelandic duo Hugar have released a new single and announced their upcoming album The Vasulka Effect: Music for the Motion Picture, released through Sony Music Masterworks. The new ...

27.04.2020

Frans Bak Signs To Wise Music Group

Frans Bak has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Edition Wilhelm Hansen, part of Wise Muisic Group. Considered one of the pioneers of the 'Nordic Noir' genre of music, and with over thirty years of experience scoring for film, television and advertising, Bak has created soundracks to critically acclaimed series such as Lilyhamer, Doctor Foster, Disparue and The Killing, setting a new musical standard for cime TV and inspiring other composers to apply the 'Nordic feel'. In addition to his career as a film and television composer, Bak has also released independent albums such as 2016's Sound Of North, with the main inspiration being his upbriging. Bak is set to release an album of new musical works, Piano, in Spring 2020. The latest single of which 'Waiting' can be heard here.

27.04.2020

Frans Bak Signs To Wise Music Group

Frans Bak has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Edition Wilhelm Hansen, part of Wise Muisic Group. Considered one of the pioneers of the 'Nordic Noir' genre of music, and with over thirty ...

24.04.2020

'We'll Meet Again' NHS Charity Single

Dame Vera Lynn and Katherine Jenkins have released a duet of 'We'll Meet Again' with all the proceeds donated to NHS Charities Together to support NHS staff and volunteers caring for coronavirus patients. Dame Vera Lynn said "The words 'we'll meet again' speak to the hope we should all have during these troubling times". Katherine Jenkins added "As Dame Vera herself has said, while the lyrics of 'We'll Meet Again' take us back to the time of WW2, the sentiment feels appropriate and meaningful today and relevant to the current crisis". Listen here

24.04.2020

'We'll Meet Again' NHS Charity Single

Dame Vera Lynn and Katherine Jenkins have released a duet of 'We'll Meet Again' with all the proceeds donated to NHS Charities Together to support NHS staff and volunteers caring for coronavirus ...

24.04.2020

Drexler Releases New Single 'Blossoms'

Drexler has released his first single 'Blossoms' off his up-coming album to be released later this year. Drexler writes "'Blossoms' is all about growth, as gradual as it may be". Listen here

24.04.2020

Drexler Releases New Single 'Blossoms'

Drexler has released his first single 'Blossoms' off his up-coming album to be released later this year. Drexler writes "'Blossoms' is all about growth, as gradual as it may be". Listen here

03.04.2020

Rachel Portman Announces Up-coming Album

Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman has announced up-coming album ask the river will be released via Node Records on May 8th. Her latest single from the album 'much loved' was released on Friday 3rd April along with a video. Pre-order the album and buy/stream 'much loved' here

03.04.2020

Rachel Portman Announces Up-coming Album

Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman has announced up-coming album ask the river will be released via Node Records on May 8th. Her latest single from the album 'much loved' was released on Friday ...

27.03.2020

Wilson Trouvé Releases New EP 'Sensible'

Wilson Trouvé has today released his latest EP Sensible through 1631 Recordings. The five track piano album follows his last two albums Malam and Ayunda both released in 2019. Listen here

27.03.2020

Wilson Trouvé Releases New EP 'Sensible'

Wilson Trouvé has today released his latest EP Sensible through 1631 Recordings. The five track piano album follows his last two albums Malam and Ayunda both released in 2019. Listen here

27.03.2020

Luke Elliot's New Single 'The Big Wind' Out Now

Luke Elliot's latest single 'The Big Wind', the title track off his up-coming album, is out now. The track follows the singles 'All On Board' and 'Carolyn' released earlier this year. Listen here

27.03.2020

Luke Elliot's New Single 'The Big Wind' Out Now

Luke Elliot's latest single 'The Big Wind', the title track off his up-coming album, is out now. The track follows the singles 'All On Board' and 'Carolyn' released earlier this year. Listen here

25.03.2020

Vera Lynn Turns 103

Dame Vera Lynn turned 103 on Friday 20th March and marked the special occasion with a new video to her wartime classic and Wise Music favourite 'We'll Meet Again'. In the video, which features archive footage of her performing the anthem, Vera urges the nation to "keep smiling and keep singing" during these difficult times. To celebrate the incredible birthday and to keep everyone "smiling and singing", we have created a playlist of all the Wise Music tracks covered by the great Vera Lynn. Listen here

25.03.2020

Vera Lynn Turns 103

Dame Vera Lynn turned 103 on Friday 20th March and marked the special occasion with a new video to her wartime classic and Wise Music favourite 'We'll Meet Again'. In the video, which features ...

20.03.2020

Wise Music Signs The Beamish Brothers

Embassy Music Publishing, part of Wise Music Group, have signed a worldwide publishing agreement with rising Australian pop duo, The Beamish Brothers, for their debut album Brutalism. Ben and Jeremy Beamish, the multi-talented siblings who hail from Toowoomba, are handcrafting a new flavour of intelligent alt-pop music, “a signature style sitting harmoniously between the worlds of folk, soul and pop” (Vicky Hebbs, Amplify). After successful tours of the US, Spain, Japan and Korea, the brothers are ready to ride the wave of success with their debut EP Brutalism. The 4 track EP features the latest single Crying No Tears, a ballad of beautifully laid harmonies and emotion that encapsulates the feeling of seeing someone you love hit rock bottom while still putting on a brave face. The debut music video for their first single from the EP, Kills Me Every Time, continues to receive a tremendous amount of attention with over 80,000 streams on Spotify and over 64,000 on their music video alone. Listen here

20.03.2020

Wise Music Signs The Beamish Brothers

Embassy Music Publishing, part of Wise Music Group, have signed a worldwide publishing agreement with rising Australian pop duo, The Beamish Brothers, for their debut album Brutalism. Ben and Jeremy ...

11.03.2020

New Single By Rachel Portman Out Via Node Records

Last Friday 6th March Node Records, part of Wise Music Group, released the new single 'Leaves and Trees' from award-winning composer Rachel Portman. Of the single, Rachel stated 'Leaves and Trees' took as its starting point the sense of being immersed within the upper branches of a beech tree in late spring. The leaves are at their freshest and greenest, and the light is refracted through them as they move in the breeze. The music is an expression of that feeling. It's impossible to say what happens when trying to evoke my response to those leaves and trees as no thinking can happen in order to allow music to write itself. Listen here

11.03.2020

New Single By Rachel Portman Out Via Node Records

Last Friday 6th March Node Records, part of Wise Music Group, released the new single 'Leaves and Trees' from award-winning composer Rachel Portman. Of the single, Rachel stated 'Leaves and Trees' ...

11.03.2020

Fallulah Releases Latest Single

Fallulah released her new single 'Broken Soldier' at the end of February which comes off her up-coming EP All My Eyes Are Open Part II. Fallulah said of the track "The song is really special to me. Of course they all are but some just mean that bit extra. I wrote it after a very dark time in my life where I had felt so disconnected from myself, from my purpose and the love of music and from true lightness and joy. The answer was to start treating myself as a friend. It has taken a long time and some rough lessons but I'm finally getting there! Listen here

11.03.2020

Fallulah Releases Latest Single

Fallulah released her new single 'Broken Soldier' at the end of February which comes off her up-coming EP All My Eyes Are Open Part II. Fallulah said of the track "The song is really special to me. ...

11.02.2020

Christopher Paul Stelling's Album Best Of Luck Out Now

Folk singer-songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling released his album Best of Luck on February 7th via ANTI Records.Produced by Ben Harper, the album features an all-star rhythm section with Jimmy Paxson (Stevie Nicks, Dixie Chicks) on drums, and upright bass player Mike Valerio (Randy Newman, LA Philharmonic). Listen here

11.02.2020

Christopher Paul Stelling's Album Best Of Luck Out Now

Folk singer-songwriter Christopher Paul Stelling released his album Best of Luck on February 7th via ANTI Records.Produced by Ben Harper, the album features an all-star rhythm section with Jimmy ...

10.02.2020

Hildur Guðnadóttir Wins Academy Award

Hildur Guðnadóttir has become only the fourth woman ever to win an Academy Award for Best Orginial Score for her beautiful music to Todd Philips's Joker. The Icelandic-born, Berlin-based composer said in her acceptance speech, 'To the girls, to the women, to the mothers, to the daughters, who hear the music bubbling within, please speak up. We need to hear your voices'. This win caps off an incredible award season which also saw Hildur awarded the Golden Globe, the Critics' Choice Award and the BAFTA for Joker, as well as an Emmy and a Grammy for her score to the critically acclaimed television series Chernobyl. Read more here

10.02.2020

Hildur Guðnadóttir Wins Academy Award

Hildur Guðnadóttir has become only the fourth woman ever to win an Academy Award for Best Orginial Score for her beautiful music to Todd Philips's Joker. The Icelandic-born, Berlin-based composer ...