Ambience Joe Hume

• Joe Hume (b. 1985):
• 1 Café del Paris 02:35
• 2 Del mar 03:19
• 3 The Carnival of the Animals, R. 125: XIII. The Swan (Arr. J. Hume for Solo Piano) 05:00
• 4 Danny's Prelude 03:40
• 5 Northern Shore 03:30
• Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750):
• 6 Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147, Pt. 2: No. 10, Jesus bleibet meine Freude (Arr. J. Hume for Solo Piano) 03:14
• 7 Reverie 02:40
• 8 Nocturne 03:12
• 9 Gymnopédie (After Satie's "Gymnopédie No. 1") 04:30
• 10 Winter's Tale 03:14
• Total Runtime 34:54

Info for Ambience

Ambience is Big Round Records’ latest release from composer Joe Hume. After a decade of working exclusively as a professional pianist, Hume has returned to composing in a big way with this compelling 11-track album of airy original solo piano pieces.

The bright, spacious textures of café de Paris—the album’s first track—sets the tone for what is to follow. Though brief, at less-than three minutes long, the piece breathes peacefully, with its unhurried motion punctuated by brief modulations. Next one hears Del Mar, a songful, poignant meditation. As the album continues, each piece sets a scene for the listener—The Swan floats with agility between major and minor, while Northern Shore sings with a lilting cadence like waves lapping at a rocky shoreline. Adagio for Strings, previously released as a single in July 2019, is rich and expansive, harnessing the piano’s warm lower-middle voice. Nocturne, as its name suggests, is tender and thoughtful, with long arpeggiated chords rolling seamlessly with the tune in the right hand. Winter’s Tale concludes the album, with melodic lines so cleanly crafted that one’s mind can almost imagine words hidden in the piano music.

Hume writes that he set out to create music that was “melodic, calming, yet powerful in its delivery.” The composer/pianist has no doubt succeeded in this endeavor. As its title suggests, Ambience could simply be treated as lovely background noise —but that doesn’t mean it should be. After all, listeners who take a moment to close their eyes and listen deeply may find Hume’s piano is singing for them.

Joe Hume, piano

Joe Hume
is a pianist and composer from Glasgow, Scotland. He attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music at the age of 17 where he studied the piano under professor Fali Pavri. He was hugely inspired by Romantic and 20th-century composers such as Chopin, Rachmaninov, Debussy, Faure, and Satie. Their influence can be heard in Hume's recent piano compositions. His eclectic taste in music (Classical, Electronic, movie scores) would also take him to UWS university where he studied Studio Engineering and Production.

Hume enjoys a busy performing career which has spanned almost 17 years to date. During these years he has played at most of the UK’s top venues as a session musician, most notably the Cavern Club Liverpool (home of the Beatles) and the O2 Arena in London. His most recent piano contract took him to St. Germain in Paris where he wrote his recent album of piano works.

Hume's ability to compose ambient piano music led to significant success in 2019. His track Adagio For Piano was released by the world-famous chillout label Café Del Mar on their annual compilation album xxv.

This album contains no booklet.