Composer Stephen Emmer unveils Mt Mundane, an epic journey of overcoming personal crisis, for orchestra, piano and treble. As of now you can order the Luxury Edition of the new Mt. Mundane album, which comes as a jewel case, including a full color 8 page booklet and 3 Bonus Tracks.
Click here to order your copy of the Luxury Edition now.
Emmer is a renowned Dutch composer, arranger, and artist from Amsterdam, who has been a prominent figure in the international music scene since the 1970’s. Mt. Mundane is undoubtedly one of Emmer's most opulent and personal works; the project was recorded in 2024 at Abbey Road Studios, with a lineup of over 30 musicians and in collaboration with international music stars such as Anthony Weeden (The Lordof the Rings: The Rings of Power), Andrew Dudman (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), Grammy Award-winning choral conductor Nigel Short, pianist Ben Dawson, and treble Joshua Davidson.
In creating Mt. Mundane, Emmer set his life to music and in the process, came to terms with a drastic experience: the loss of hearing in his left ear, which posed an existential threat to him as a musician and composer. His experience of hearing loss led him to found the Artists Against Tinnitus foundation, to raise awareness for the hearing-related issues that musicians face.
The album symbolises the many crises that individuals can overcome, no matter how impossible they may initially seem; a message of hope and optimism that Emmer aims to convey to his audience and those who also face life-altering situations. The music is a true tapestry of Emmer’s identity, incorporating melodies that have been with him since the early days of his career over 45 years ago. He weaves these enduring themes into stunning symphonic compositions, enriched by the insights and creativity of his current artistic phase.
Mt. Mundane comprises a total of 15 'cinematic adagios: Emmer chose the adagio movement for its ability to convey music in the most personal manner, using a musical suite's most stately movement as a model in order to convey the many elements of grief in a pared-down manner, including moments of despair, hope, regret, and gratitude.
In the process he drew inspiration from French composers of the post-impressionist era, such as André Caplet, Lili Boulanger, Ravel, and Debussy, each renowned for their vividly colourful fauvist orchestrations and refined harmonisations.
Out on Electric Fairytale Recordings
