The last time that we featured Klein & Jamison was when they delivered a dramatic and dynamic ode to a late friend with the orchestral EP, Sailing Symphony, so when we heard that the composers were back with Piano Trio No. 2 “Mary Margaret”, which also sadly serves as an elegy to Jim Klein‘s infant granddaughter who died 90 minutes after she was born, we were curious and keen to explore the depth of what they had to offer.

The album opens with Allegro Agitato, featuring cinematic, orchestral strings and an emotive piano that manifests in a melancholic energy. The piece grows with drama and intrigue as it swells into a crescendo reminding us of early Modest Mussorgsky

This leads us to Animato which opens with a more optimistic edge. Sonically, it feels like this serves as a moment of acceptance. There is an elegance to the piece, almost heavenly. The piano solos are delicate, echoed by the strings, building into an almost hypnotic and cathartic repetition pattern. We learn a lot from the YouTube Shorts shared by the creators on their collaborative process, and this is really echoed within this track. Again, the piece builds with bass-driven drama from the piano and truly delivers compositional excellence.

Adagietto maintains the drama and cinematic allure, whilst tapping into a higher emotional quotient. The piano is bolder, whilst also creating more space between the instruments. The delicate motifs are welcome, and there is a subtle folk-adjacency with the strings. The piece also holds an almost mediative energy with its stripped-back moments. We appreciate the range of the keys, whilst it also maintains cinematic flair.

Presto Con Fuoco opens with a dynamic and intricate piano solo, evolving with brooding strings. The detail is almost psychedelic. We appreciate the existentialism and the instrumental mastery. Aligned with the title of the track, the speed that the composition manifests with is high-octane. It is also the longest track on the album, and the technical detail is truly awe-inspiring. The rippling astral keys allude to spiritual ascension, and these are juxtaposed with dramatic string chops and a dark, theatrical expression mid-way through the piece. This builds with grandeur through to the finale.

Finally, we experience Andante Con Moto, which opens with a more peaceful resonance – a sentiment of acceptance and gratitude. The strings and piano reflect each other, and we appreciate the vulnerability that manifests. There is a raw sentimentality that comes through whilst the emotional quotient remains high. Eventually, the piece taps into a lighter energy, regal in its design, a perfect send-off for Mary Margaret, a reminder that life is infinite and that the astral realm is a safe space where music, life and death can coexist on an infinite level. The positive climax is symbolic of acceptance.

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Enticing us with a dramatic and cinematic strings arrangement, Sailing Symphony opens with flair, intricacy and a track titled I. Sailaway. We are immediately transported with a grandiose and evocative energy, laced with astral nuances and breathtaking performances.

The composition ebbs and flows, lending itself to a timeless vibe, reminding us of the drama of Modest Mussorgsky. The crescendos are thrilling and hair-raising with a fantastical energy interwoven throughout.

We appreciate the full circle nature of the opener, which leads us onto II. Doldrums which fits cohesively with its predecessor, tapping into a more meditative state at first. We learn that Jim Klein and Ian Jamison composed the Sailing Symphony in memory of the late Waddy Garrett, Klein’s close friend and business mentor, who was an Annapolis Naval Academy graduate and lifelong sailor.

There is a melancholic edge that resonates with us, and the overarching mood is both soul-stirring and emotionally charged. Next up is III. Storm, which opens with a brighter nuance, although we anticipate that this is the calm before the inevitable chaos that ensues!

What is incredible about Klein & Jamison is their ability to bring to life the timelessness of music for a new era. The compositions are simply out of this world, reminding us of the true roots of classical music and its ability to evoke passion and awe.

Finally, we are met with IV. Ahoy which sets off optimistically, with a monumental frequency, engaging the cinematic nature that we have come to connect with so deeply from the record as a whole.

The performances on Sailing Symphony showcase nothing short of instrumental genius – a mesmerizing display of virtuosity and emotional depth. From the very first note, the ensemble’s impeccable technique is captivating – creating an immediate sense of anticipation and intrigue.

The symphony’s dramatic arc was expertly crafted with moments of tension and release, cementing the creative pair’s palpable connection with the transformative power of music. Jim Klein and Ian Jamison, who are based in Colorado and Arizona, have been collaborating since 2018, and this long term connection is tangible in the excellence of their output.

We have added I. Sailaway and III. Storm to our New Music Spotlight playlist, as well as our brand new TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to immerse ourselves in Jim Klein and Ian Jamison‘s wider discographies.

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