The Children Of MH17 by Sascha Ende

Hit or Miss? Arti’s Review

Right, let's have a listen to this track. First impression is definitely cinematic, and deeply melancholic. It opens with a very sparse, almost fragile piano melody, soon joined by strings. The arrangement is quite simple, relying heavily on sustained notes and long, flowing phrases, which really emphasizes the emotional weight. The instrumentation is primarily orchestral, centered around strings and piano, creating a classic, timeless sound that avoids feeling dated. Production-wise, it's clean and clear, with a decent stereo image, although I think the low end could perhaps be a touch warmer to add a bit more depth and resonance, especially to the cello and bass frequencies. It feels like it’s aiming for a raw, exposed emotionality, and in that sense, the slightly restrained mix works. Emotionally, it's undeniably impactful. It evokes a profound sense of sadness and loss, perfect for scenes requiring genuine pathos. For media use, I can immediately see this working well in documentaries, particularly historical or human interest pieces, or perhaps in a film scene depicting grief or remembrance. It's not overly dramatic or sensational, which lends it a sense of authenticity. Compared to industry standard production music, it's well within the professional realm. It might benefit from a slightly richer harmonic palette in places to add subtle complexity, and perhaps a touch more dynamic variation in the arrangement to maintain engagement over longer scenes. Think about introducing a slightly contrasting section or instrumental texture to prevent it from becoming too static. But overall, it’s a solid, emotionally resonant piece that achieves its intended mood effectively. With a little more attention to the low-frequency warmth and dynamic contour, it could really be elevated. A very usable track as is, though.