Robert McGinty - Reflections
Reflections by Robert McGinty is a charming exploration of how the classical sounded before it was labeled as such. Classical music has always seemed out of reach to me, likely because of its status. But the Manchester, UK-based instrumentalist makes the classical seem inviting by creating these seemingly easy-to-listen-to pieces that create a feeling of affability. Whimsical and warm, McGinty gives us beautiful scenarios through each track. The album begins with an optimistic and hopeful track that has an undertone of melancholia. It feels like the emotions that flow through you as you stare at your reflection in a lake. You're looking back at the life that you've had, the good and the bad. And this is a recurring pattern in this album. The title to every track sets the scene for you. In Ballade à L'amour, or Ballad of Love, the strings accompanied by the piano bring a beautiful love story to life. The harp in The Elysian Slumber makes it sound like a song from an old music box, nostalgic and dreamy. We see the flute for the first time in The Whisper on the Wind, the arpeggios bringing a playfulness to the track. And it seems to be keeping the underlying melancholy from breaking through. To me, this song is like the wind listening to you as you recount the ups and downs of a day. Ebbing Tides is the first song that majorly uses minor chords. This time the flute brings in a mischievousness that is a bit roguish. When the strings arrive, though, the track becomes more dramatic, almost like the consequences that caught up. Maybe it mirrors the movement of tides. The Whimsical Waltz is exactly what the name suggests. This is a track that makes you want to learn ballroom dancing. The chord progressions lend themselves to being whimsical and playful beautifully. The ¾ time signature, or the waltz, is my favourite because it gives you just enough intrigue to keep you interested but is not entirely keeping you out of the loop like other odd time signatures. This also creates that dreamy quality, signature to every waltz song. The most interesting song of the album is Attending the Celebrations. This track cleverly changes things up as soon as we see a pattern. And as the title promises, there are grandiose moments of celebration as well. Encantada was the song that immediately got stuck in my head on first listen. With obvious Spanish influences, the progressions are lively, upbeat, and undeniably enjoyable. I love how the album ended with the three jazzy instrumentals that were very upbeat and amusing. It felt like someone tied the most colorful bow to wrap it all up. Reflections is an extravagant and ornate gift, crafted to be appreciated by everyone, regardless of their familiarity with classical music.
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