Waiting For The End Of The Quarantine by Sascha Ende

"Waiting For The End Of The Quarantine" opens with a captivating handpan melody, immediately establishing a mood of serene contemplation. It's the kind of track that draws you in gradually, its beauty lying in its simplicity and the emotional resonance of the instrument. The composition unfolds naturally, with the handpan taking center stage, supported by subtle electronic textures and understated percussion. This creates a wonderfully spacious and atmospheric soundscape, reminiscent of artists like Hang Massive or even certain moments in Ólafur Arnalds' work. The arrangement is quite effective in its minimalism – it doesn't try to do too much, allowing the core melody to breathe and connect with the listener.

One area that presents an opportunity for growth is the dynamic range. While the quiet intimacy is lovely, a slightly more pronounced crescendo and decrescendo at certain points could heighten the emotional impact even further. Imagine, for instance, a subtle swell in the pads or a brief, carefully placed percussive accent to add punctuation.

From a production standpoint, the handpan itself is beautifully recorded, capturing its rich overtones and delicate nuances. The mix is generally well-balanced, although a touch more presence in the low-mids might add a bit more warmth and body to the overall sound, especially for playback on smaller speakers. The mastering maintains the track's quiet intensity, resisting the urge to over-compress, which is crucial for this style of music. It fits nicely into that ambient/meditative space where the sonic quality is paramount.

In terms of usability, this track is incredibly versatile. It would be perfect for documentaries exploring themes of nature, travel, or human connection. It would also work well in advertising campaigns aiming for a sophisticated, emotional feel and even in certain video game environments. Because of the slight melancholy, it can be great on pensive scenes, but the harmonic arrangement gives some hope at some point.

Overall, "Waiting For The End Of The Quarantine" is a beautifully crafted piece that excels in its emotional depth and atmospheric quality. With some minor adjustments to the dynamic range and mix, it could easily reach a high-tier library music standard. It's a track with real potential, showcasing a genuine understanding of mood and texture.

After a long period of musical absence I had a creative musical surplus and sat down for about 1 hour. The result is an improvised, absolutely handmade freestyle piece with a strong jazz element. I'm surprised how good a piece can sound that consists only of bass, piano, guitar and ceramic ashikos.