Single Review For “Hopeful Bliss”
Composed by Ronald Van Deurzen
Review written by Kerry Barnes
Introduction
Ronald Van Deurzen, a star already risen and making a name for himself. What wonderful and creative choices this fine composer from the Netherlands has made thus far and evoking visual images comes completely natural to him. Global awards are coming thick and fast especially in the shape of “Winner of 2020 ‘Oneness Award’ for One World Music Radio” in this stunning New Age orchestral piece that is Hopeful Bliss. Watch this space as Ronald is definitely an artist to follow in the years to come!! “Hopeful Bliss” 4.36 of pure bliss, that may also be part of a new album from Ronald, and yes so it should be!! So to the sound. It’s as if a clearing becomes evident through a haze of misty morning light. Chimes signal to an emerging sunbeam, feathered in a dappled sky.
A Native American Flute trills like a brightly coloured bird, calling to his brothers and sisters saying “come to me, beauty is here, I promise you that”. A shimmer, almost in reverse mode blows down the shaft of this beautiful flute, so powerfully that it breaks into an urgent distortion. Now, the quadruple metre is apparent. A gentle yet persistent beat of heavenly percussion, awarded with glorious shape to every phrase.
A golden harp plucks it’s patterns, offering them up to the sky, full of blue and purple clouds with their thoughts of peace and a oneness of heart. The divine conical of wood and silver returns, pleading for global harmony, and I am quite tantalised by Ronald’s melodic thread, as he dangles enticing carrots before my very eyes. Call-and-response is at play, coloured by bright and vibrant tones, full and saturated like a metallic droplet. Celtic intervals work like a dream. A truism of bowed violin, played with a great inner confidence here, pitch perfect……..just think, only a hundredth of a millimetre too far to the left or right, and indeed up or down, would make it out of tune, I really admire string players and their constant conquest of instrument!! The tapestry continues for a while, our ears crave for more.
At 1.46 the sound opens up with great encouragement and we are willed to step closer to this multi-timbral arrangement. I hear snippets of a George Winston hallmark, very tastefully done and technically high-standing. At 2.10 Ronald returns to a less dominant textural accompaniment, as swathes of harmonised strings soar in a layer of light only lived upon higher ground. A little penny whistle rescued from the Titanic sings to us with flavours of Rose and Jack, and I can’t help but think that Ronald’s score would fit fantastically for epic film or animation mode. His writing is in contemplative mood and welcomes every listener regardless of colour, creed, age, gender or orientation.
At 3.20, a strong and defined percussion immediately commands our attention, and I imagine the head of a tribesman beating is native drum like a tom-tom. I’m really enjoying this full orchestral bodied sound, it envelopes and embraces me as I let it float over, thankful for such a sensual experience. I sense a female of this tribal gathering singing on her vowels, in unison with others and strengthening the message of love.
The music starts to slow with a ‘coda’ steeped in a Netherlandish vibe and history, and in my mind’s eye a rare bird of prey commands us to listen, it is after all the final cry. My body shudders at it’s rapid flutter and tremolando, such technical mastery. I watch as it flies off into the atmosphere, getting smaller and smaller. The music rests, breathes in and out, cradled in the belly of a much needed ‘Hopeful Bliss’
Composed by Ronald Van Deurzen
Review written by Kerry Barnes
Introduction
Ronald Van Deurzen, a star already risen and making a name for himself. What wonderful and creative choices this fine composer from the Netherlands has made thus far and evoking visual images comes completely natural to him. Global awards are coming thick and fast especially in the shape of “Winner of 2020 ‘Oneness Award’ for One World Music Radio” in this stunning New Age orchestral piece that is Hopeful Bliss. Watch this space as Ronald is definitely an artist to follow in the years to come!! “Hopeful Bliss” 4.36 of pure bliss, that may also be part of a new album from Ronald, and yes so it should be!! So to the sound. It’s as if a clearing becomes evident through a haze of misty morning light. Chimes signal to an emerging sunbeam, feathered in a dappled sky.
A Native American Flute trills like a brightly coloured bird, calling to his brothers and sisters saying “come to me, beauty is here, I promise you that”. A shimmer, almost in reverse mode blows down the shaft of this beautiful flute, so powerfully that it breaks into an urgent distortion. Now, the quadruple metre is apparent. A gentle yet persistent beat of heavenly percussion, awarded with glorious shape to every phrase.
A golden harp plucks it’s patterns, offering them up to the sky, full of blue and purple clouds with their thoughts of peace and a oneness of heart. The divine conical of wood and silver returns, pleading for global harmony, and I am quite tantalised by Ronald’s melodic thread, as he dangles enticing carrots before my very eyes. Call-and-response is at play, coloured by bright and vibrant tones, full and saturated like a metallic droplet. Celtic intervals work like a dream. A truism of bowed violin, played with a great inner confidence here, pitch perfect……..just think, only a hundredth of a millimetre too far to the left or right, and indeed up or down, would make it out of tune, I really admire string players and their constant conquest of instrument!! The tapestry continues for a while, our ears crave for more.
At 1.46 the sound opens up with great encouragement and we are willed to step closer to this multi-timbral arrangement. I hear snippets of a George Winston hallmark, very tastefully done and technically high-standing. At 2.10 Ronald returns to a less dominant textural accompaniment, as swathes of harmonised strings soar in a layer of light only lived upon higher ground. A little penny whistle rescued from the Titanic sings to us with flavours of Rose and Jack, and I can’t help but think that Ronald’s score would fit fantastically for epic film or animation mode. His writing is in contemplative mood and welcomes every listener regardless of colour, creed, age, gender or orientation.
At 3.20, a strong and defined percussion immediately commands our attention, and I imagine the head of a tribesman beating is native drum like a tom-tom. I’m really enjoying this full orchestral bodied sound, it envelopes and embraces me as I let it float over, thankful for such a sensual experience. I sense a female of this tribal gathering singing on her vowels, in unison with others and strengthening the message of love.
The music starts to slow with a ‘coda’ steeped in a Netherlandish vibe and history, and in my mind’s eye a rare bird of prey commands us to listen, it is after all the final cry. My body shudders at it’s rapid flutter and tremolando, such technical mastery. I watch as it flies off into the atmosphere, getting smaller and smaller. The music rests, breathes in and out, cradled in the belly of a much needed ‘Hopeful Bliss’