Emil Friis’s new album, ‘Moving Images’ (his debut solo release for FatCat’s classical imprint 130701), is a testament to the human condition and the things that bring us together as a species. ‘Moving Images’ is inspired by, and seeks to inspire, movements of the human spirit and the stories we share through music, words, art and film.

The album spans a diverse range of instrumentation and emotions; sombre chamber pieces (‘For Goodbyes’), ominous yet hopefully hypnotic ambient (‘Zero’), softly touched solo-piano (‘Dancing’), poetic and playful flute and synths (‘Through Air’) and tension-laced cinematic strings, synths and piano (‘An Upward Motion’).

‘Moving Images’ is also a collaborative project between Friis and selected filmmakers. Each of the 15 album tracks will be accompanied by video work. Friis explains: ‘I wanted to contribute to dissemination and perception of modern classical releases by inviting filmmakers to interpret the music through their own vision.’ The filmmakers, including Kevin Brooks, Shaun Hart, Morgan Jon Fox and Jonathan Meyers to date, were given creative freedom to interpret pieces that most resonated with them.

At the time of the album’s audio release, the video project will still be a work in progress. In the months leading up to the album launch, five tracks will be released with their respective videos at monthly intervals. Rather than releasing all ten remaining videos at once, they will be unveiled monthly after the album’s release. This approach encourages reflection by the audience on their own internal dialogues and the mental imagery they create in relation to the tracks.

Arranged using few elements, the depth of textures, instruments and emotions work in tight connection. Performed on synthesisers, strings, woodwinds and piano, with contributions from artists such as renowned string player Davide Rossi, the original compositions are transformed into cinematic modern classical works.

The pieces are filled with brightness, sensibility, tension and sombre beauty in ways that often make it seem as though conversations are taking place between the instruments. The phrases are sometimes lonely. At others, they soar and take flight. Despite their brevity, the results are filled with warmth and fervour.