Henrik Meierkord, Zeitreisen Review

By Elberton Cisnero

Henrik Meierkord’s latest offering, Zeitreisen, marks another exploration into the realms of ambient and modern classical music. It showcases his adeptness with the cello alongside additional string instruments and effects. Released on December 1, 2023, by Projekt:Archive, this album reveals Meierkord’s evolving artistry, deeply rooted in a neoclassical approach that breathes fresh life into the genre.

With Zeitreisen—German for “time travel”—Meierkord ventures beyond the conventional boundaries of string music, blending traditional techniques with modern effects to create innovative and introspective soundscapes. The album’s tracklist, featuring compositions like “Mitthavet” and a “Cello ambient improvisation series,” invites listeners on a journey through time, where ancient melodies intertwine with contemporary minimalism.

“Mitthavet” opens the album with a serene yet complex tapestry of sound, where the cello’s haunting melodies rise and fall against a backdrop of droning undercurrents. Meierkord’s skill in layering tension and release within the composition crafts an immersive experience that is both hypnotic and evocative of Scandinavian landscapes.

The “Cello ambient improvisation” pieces stand out as the core of Zeitreisen, each offering a unique exploration of sound possibilities. The third improvisation, particularly, captivates with its combination of gentle pizzicato and elongated bowing, augmented by effects that enhance the piece’s ambient nature. Here, Meierkord’s ability to meld harmony with the modern minimalist ethos shines, creating a trance-like, soothing, and thought-provoking atmosphere.

Emotional depth is a hallmark of Zeitreisen, with tracks like “Våren står på lut” delving into sorrow, loss, and introspection themes. The elongated cello notes, paired with icy drones, evoke a sense of cryostasis—a static yet deeply moving musical expression of melancholy.

“Sarabande – Ambient” offers a departure into a more structured yet equally expansive soundscape. Drawing inspiration from Bach, Meierkord deconstructs traditional cello melodies, reinterpreting them through a lens of tranquil, dream-like ambiance. The track’s sophisticated use of melodic and harmonic structures invites listeners into a meditative state, highlighting Meierkord’s exceptional tone and expressive use of effects.

Throughout Zeitreisen, Meierkord navigates the delicate balance between the ancient and the modern, the structured and the free-form. His compositions are not merely music; they are emotional landscapes painted with the broad strokes of a minimalist’s brush yet detailed with the fine lines of a classical artisan. The album, rich in Scandinavian melancholy and baroque influences, transcends temporal boundaries, offering a timeless reflection on the nature of sound and emotion.

Henrik Meierkord’s Zeitreisen is a fusion of ambient and modern classical music, an album that resonates with the soul’s deepest yearnings and reflections. It is a journey that reveals the beauty and complexity of the human experience, encapsulated within the resonant strings of Meierkord’s cello.

Zeitreisen

Release Date: December 1, 2023

Label: Projekt Records