Carol Of The Stars by Sascha Ende

Carol Of The Stars presents itself as a piece with a clear intent: to create a gentle, reflective atmosphere. The piano melody is certainly the star here, carrying a delicate and somewhat nostalgic tune, supported nicely by what sounds like subtle strings and chimes, enhancing its ethereal quality. The composition itself flows nicely, the arrangement is sparse but effective. In the realm of production music, this could certainly fit a number of scenes – a moment of reflection in a film, a backdrop for a heartfelt advertisement, or even a children's story. What's working very well, I think, is the commitment to its mood – there's a consistency in its gentleness that's admirable.

Now, in terms of potential, there are certainly areas to build on. While the mix is clean, I might experiment with a little more warmth in the mastering – to add the overall sonic impression. Another touch, and this is entirely subjective, could be the introduction of a very subtle, deep pad in the lower frequencies, not to overtake the piano, but to ground it a bit more. It’s all well and good aiming for 'ethereal,' but sometimes a touch of grounding prevents it from drifting too far into the background. Considering the overall quality and potential for media, this has the making of very usable track. It’s easy to imagine this enhancing a scene, rather than distracting from it. It's in an area, though, where many artists, and some composers, operate, so small touches can really elevate it. I would not go overboard on any additions, this is effective simplicity.