Stuart Sweeney - 16:9 [Oomff - 2011]16:9 is the debut cd from Glasgows Stuart Sweeney. For the past 20+ years Mr. Sweeney has been a talented musician, songwriter for film, advertising and television and performer with South Bank Centre’s London Philharmonic. An enviable list of work and on this his debut we are given a peek at just how diverse an artist he is. The cd plays out as short vignettes. Given his background it does sound like well, a soundtrack! Songs are short; the longest is just over five minutes. Yet in that short amount of time Sweeney is able to convey a variety of emotions and moods.
The breadth of his handiwork is heard in the stirring, and aptly named, “Ascension”. This simply is a majestic, spirit-lifting track, full of awe inspiring sounds that bolster the soul. The opposite can be said for “Fantasia For A Storm”. This reminded me of a Tim Burton film. Full of stormy, dark and whimsical music played over a thunderstorm. One of the most moving pieces is “Cherry Blossom Falls”; here we have a melancholic string composition that is played flawlessly. It is lovely in its presentation, yet the technicality of the piece doesn’t take away from the feeling of longing the song conveys.
Other songs found on the 16:9 are no less moving. The only complaint would be that a few are just too short to really be memorable. They all possess the ability to paint very distinct emotions through their superb compositions.
   Viktorya Kaufholz
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