Bersarin Quartett s/t

This cover art is just breathtaking, isn’t it? Sure it is as it definitely made me want to have this album even before I had listened to a single tone of it. Bersarin Quartett is German musician Thomas Bücker who might be well-known for his moniker Jean Michel. Released through Lidar Productions the self-titled Bersarin Quartett debut album was one of the most outstanding albums of 2008. The cover artwork, the project name and also the music have a deep reference to the Russian history and music, sometimes Bücker seems to quote symphonic Russian composers like Tchaikovsky or in the even more cinematic pieces it could have been one of the Shostakovich soundtracks. For sure Bersarin Quartett doesn’t quote them, also he’s writing his music definitely from another point of view, another cultural background and a really different situation. But his ability to create this kind of melancholy speaks for itself. The string, synth and acoustic drumset arrangements are wide and silky enough to immerse oneself in the pieces of art. For me personally, the most outstanding piece is ‘St. Petersburg’. It’s most akin to the traditionally deeply melancholic Russian compositions (which I really love). And it’s simply beautiful arranged, gently played and recorded. ‘Nachtblind’ is another stunner, mainly piano-based with some excellent harmonics and an amazing atmosphere. ‘Mehr als alles andere’ completes the album and it couldn’t have been another track of the work as this one is a really epic finale.

Regarding the fact it’s 2011 already I really would love to see a second Bersarin Quartett album soonish. As a sequel of this perfect debut release I tend to buy it even unseen, something I normally never would do. And believe me: this is a honest praise.

[ 4,7 / 5 ]