Within the broad movement of new-age music, neoclassical new-age music is influenced by and sometimes also based upon baroque or classical music, especially in terms of melody and composition. [1] The artist may offer a modern arrangement of a work by an established composer or combine elements from classical styles with modern elements[ vague ] to produce original compositions. Many artists within this subgenre are classically trained musicians. Although there is a wide variety of individual styles, neoclassical new-age music is generally melodic, harmonic, and instrumental, using both traditional musical instruments as well as electronic instruments.[ citation needed ]
Neoclassical new-age music takes a lot of its inspiration from baroque/classical music for its style. [2] Music of this genre is primarily instrumental and heavily takes elements from classical music while drawing on religious traditions from around the world to give it more of a "mystical" vibe to the music.[ citation needed ] Neoclassical new-age music has also been characterized by its smooth and romantic sound.[ citation needed ]
Neoclassical new-age music composer Chris Field has created neoclassical music for many movie trailers for years. [3] Some of these movie trailers including The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, and Alice in Wonderland. [4] Fields has also won the best neoclassical album of 2006 for his album Sub-Conscious. [5]
Mannheim Steamroller is a neoclassical band that has been very successful. They have sold over 41 million albums and produced a Christmas album that went on to sell 5 million copies. [6] Mannheim Steamroller has received 19 gold, 8 platinum and 4 multi-platinum from the RIAA. [7]
Ambient music is a genre of music that emphasizes tone and atmosphere over traditional musical structure or rhythm. It may lack net composition, beat, or structured melody. It uses textural layers of sound which can reward both passive and active listening and encourage a sense of calm or contemplation. The genre is said to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual", or "unobtrusive" quality. Nature soundscapes may be included, and the sounds of acoustic instruments such as the piano, strings and flute may be emulated through a synthesizer.
Industrial rock is an fusion genre that fuses industrial music and rock music. It initially originated in the 1970s, and drew influence from early experimental and industrial acts such as Cromagnon, Throbbing Gristle, Einstürzende Neubauten and Chrome. Industrial rock became more prominent in the 1980s with the success of artists such as Killing Joke, Swans, and partially Skinny Puppy, and later spawned the offshoot genre known as industrial metal. The genre was made more accessible to mainstream audiences in the 1990s with the aid of acts such as Nine Inch Nails and Marilyn Manson, both of which have released platinum-selling records.
Enigma is a German musical project founded in 1990 by Romanian-German musician and producer Michael Cretu. Cretu had released several solo records, collaborated with various artists, and produced albums for his then-wife, German pop singer Sandra, before he conceived the idea of a new-age, worldbeat project. He recorded the first Enigma studio album, MCMXC a.D. (1990), with contributions from David Fairstein and Frank Peterson. The album remains Enigma's most successful, helped by the international hit single "Sadeness ", which sold twelve million units alone. According to Cretu, the inspiration for the creation of the project came from his desire to make a kind of music that did not obey "the old rules and habits" and presented a new form of artistic expression with mystic and experimental components.
Louis F. "Chip" Davis Jr. is the founder and leader of the music group Mannheim Steamroller. Davis composed the music for several C. W. McCall albums, including the hit 1975 song "Convoy". He has also written and made other albums such as Day Parts, and has written several books.
Mannheim Steamroller is an American neoclassical new-age music group founded by percussionist/composer Chip Davis that is known primarily for its Fresh Aire series of albums, which blend classical music with elements of new age and rock, and for its modern recordings of Christmas music. The group has sold 28 million albums in the U.S. alone.
Neoclassical metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is heavily influenced by classical music and usually features very technical playing, consisting of elements borrowed from both classical and speed metal music. Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore pioneered the subgenre by merging classical melodies and blues rock. Later, Yngwie Malmsteen became one of the most notable musicians in the subgenre, and contributed greatly to the development of the style in the 1980s. Other notable players in the genre are Randy Rhoads, John Petrucci, Michael Romeo, Jason Becker, Tony MacAlpine, Vinnie Moore, Uli Jon Roth, Stéphan Forté, Wolf Hoffmann, Timo Tolkki, and Marty Friedman.
Rap rock is a fusion genre that fuses vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop with various forms of rock. Rap rock's most popular subgenres include rap metal and rapcore, which include heavy metal and hardcore punk-oriented influences, respectively.
Symphonic metal is a cross-generic style designation for the symphonic subsets of heavy metal music subgenres. It is used to denote any metal band that makes use of symphonic or orchestral elements. The style features the heavy drums and guitars of metal with different elements of orchestral classical music, such as symphonic instruments, choirs and sometimes a full orchestra, or just keyboard orchestration.
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas is the first Christmas album and sixth studio album released by American musical group Mannheim Steamroller. It was the band's first album to chart on the Billboard 200 album chart, peaking at No. 50.
Christmas in the Aire is the third Christmas album and twenty-first studio album released by American musical group Mannheim Steamroller. The album was originally released in 1995, and was the biggest-selling holiday album in the United States that year with sales of 1,844,000 according to Nielsen/SoundScan.
A Fresh Aire Christmas is the second Christmas album and tenth studio album released by American musical group Mannheim Steamroller. The album was released in 1988 and was the last album to feature Eric Hansen as a member of the band. The album is the highest selling album in the Chip Davis/Mannheim Steamroller music catalog.
St. Elsewhere is the debut album by American soul duo Gnarls Barkley. It was released on April 24, 2006 in the UK, where it debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, and on May 9, 2006 in the United States, although it was available for purchase one week earlier as a digital download in the US iTunes Store. It debuted at No. 20 on the US Billboard 200, and peaked at No. 4. It topped the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart for 39 non-consecutive weeks in 2006 and 2007. The album's first single, "Crazy", was the first song to become a UK number-one single based solely on downloads. The album was certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA, for shipping 1,000,000 units. A limited edition deluxe package of St. Elsewhere was released on November 7. The CD + DVD package includes a 92-page booklet, four music videos, and bonus songs from live performances. It was also released on vinyl.
25 Year Celebration of Mannheim Steamroller is a two-disc anthology album released by new-age musical group Mannheim Steamroller in 1999, in honor of the group's 25th anniversary.
Luca Turilli is an Italian composer, arranger, producer and multi-instrumentalist constantly engaged in various musical projects.
To Russia with Love is a 1994 album by Mannheim Steamroller. The album was recorded in St. Petersburg's Philharmonia Hall.
Christmas Symphony is the twelfth Christmas music album overall released by American musical group Mannheim Steamroller. The album was originally released in 2011. Recorded in Prague, the album features members of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, performing new recordings of previously released Mannheim Steamroller arrangements.
Chris Field is a Los Angeles-based composer, songwriter, producer and musician. He was raised in the San Fernando Valley, and played guitar in Los Angeles for groups among multiple genres including electric guitar, jazz, and rock music. He learned how to compose music by inputting compositions from Ludwig van Beethoven and Sergei Prokofiev into his computer. Through his music associates, he became acquainted with two friends who started X-Ray Dog, and he began to contribute musical compositions to this company. Field also works with Extreme Music, and through them, Field's music has been placed in numerous television shows. In December 2014, a part of Field's catalogue was acquired by BMG Chrysalis, with whom he continues to work, on major film and television campaigns.
Classical Gas is a 1987 album by new age group Mannheim Steamroller and guitarist/composer Mason Williams. The album's title piece, "Classical Gas", was originally featured on Williams's 1968 solo album The Mason Williams Phonograph Record.
Travis Darelle "Teddy" Walton is an American record producer, songwriter and DJ. He began music production by creating songs with his older brother, June, which gained traction on SoundCloud. Teddy has gone on to produce for artists including Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, Travis Scott, Bryson Tiller, ASAP Rocky, Nipsey Hussle, Future, Post Malone, Schoolboy Q, Freddie Gibbs, GoldLink, Maxo Kream, Vince Staples, ASAP Ferg, and Big K.R.I.T. Walton's unique blend of trap, R&B, and hip-hop have produced records earning two Grammy Awards, multi-platinum certifications, and placements on Billboard's Hot 100 and Top 200 charts.