Serenade: I Miss You
Nicolas Hurt
Independent (nicolashurt.bandcamp.com)
Texas guitarist/educator/composer Nicolas Hurt showcases his creativity in this “short but sweet” under 25-minute release. During the 2021 COVID isolation Hurt commissioned three of his Austin musician friends for a solo guitar piece. Hurt was so inspired that these, along with his own composition, became the soundtrack to the 2023 film he directed, produced and performed on screen, with each tune introduced by composer commentaries. His EP liner notes encourage listeners to “find the film online and give it a watch”.
Zeke Jarmon’s Lemonade is not classical per se, though tonal with contrasting detached repeated notes and melodic sections, calm lower pitches and slower brief rock, pop, folk and jazz quenching one’s musical thirst. Justice Philips’ Serenade, I Miss You is more contemporary. Love the romantic feel with subtle atonality, short melodic fast to slow sections, chords, plucks, strums and higher soft melodies. Hurt’s three part The Springs is inspired by his beloved swimming locale. Minimalistic repeated descending lines and gentle brief high-pitched notes with occasional atonality emulate rippling water in 1. Hillside. The guitar becomes a percussion instrument with Hurt’s soft guitar taps to loud hits with resonating strings in 2. Ubiquitous Drum Circle. Slow meditative sounds in 3. Under Deep Water (after Satie). Claire Puckett’s Lantern is intense yet calming. Short soft single note sections alternate with melody, silences and colourful chords.
These four stylistically diverse works are just as stellar without the visuals. Performed with inspirational musicality and technique by Hurt, the musical charm increases with each subsequent listen.
