Manu Delago - Manuscripts (2019)

Manu Delago seems to have it all worked out. Numerous collaborations with internationally renowned ensembles and orchestras imply that the Hang player and composer has made a respectable name for himself on international ground. On his new CD “Manuscripts” (Session Work Records) the bustling and busy Tyrolean, who joined pop icon Björk’s ensemble last year, mainly devotes himself to projects that have crossed his way in the recent past. Together with the award-winning Icelandic women’s choir Graduale Nobili and the London Symphony Orchestra, Manu Delago once again impressively demonstrates on how many levels and in how many different musical contexts the gentle sound of the Hang instrument works and presents himself as a truly skilled composer. To add to the listening experience, the CD comes in a package with a DVD that shows images of the exciting creative process.

Looking at the various projects of the native Tyrolean, it becomes quite clear that this is a musician with many different assets. The Hang player and composer seems to effortlessly switch between numerous musical forms, while finding his musical happiness in a non-traditional overall sound. Manu Delago therefore feels just as content in jazz, as in pop, classical music, chamber music, electronic or in an experimental environment. This very open-minded and free-spirited approach to the musical matter is documented on his new CD “Manuscripts”.

The new album is a wide selection of results from his various musical collaborations. Merely the introductory track “Pencilphonie No.1″ shows the Hang player and composer alone as an experimental solo artist creating an entire piece from the sound of a drawing pencil and subtle Hang sounds. The remaining tracks come from cooperations with various international orchestras, for whom the Tyrolean musician partly composed, and with whom he partly performed with.

With “Manuscripts”, Manu Delago dives deep into the world of film music with the London Symphony Orchestra, which provided, among other things, the soundtracks for the Harry Potter films. Under the title CONCERTINO GROSSO, the protagonists create vast atmospheric sound collages, which sit between large and impulsive melodies, subtle playfulness and acoustic experiment, and in this scope develop their own unique charm. No less interesting are the pieces developed with the Icelandic female choir Graduale Nobili, which celebrate restrained, almost meditative, but also very complex sound scapes.

“Manuscripts” is an album that offers an opportunity to sink into the creative evolution process of an artist that fearlessly faces the challenge of pushing musical boundaries and accomplishes this masterful task with a lot of style and charm.

Michael Ternai
(translated from German)

01. Manu Delago - Pencilphonie No. 1 in Hb2 (2:07)
02. Manu Delago - Royal Rumble (7:49)
03. Manu Delago; Graduale Nobili choir - Fuchs (2:52)
04. Manu Delago; Graduale Nobili choir - Luchs (2:09)
05. Manu Delago; Graduale Nobili choir - Echse (1:36)
06. Manu Delago; Graduale Nobili choir - Ochse (1:10)
07. Manu Delago; Graduale Nobili choir - Lachs (2:29)
08. Manu Delago; Graduale Nobili choir - Dachs (1:50)
09. Manu Delago; London Symphony Orchestra Strings - Whispy Opening (3:31)
10. Manu Delago; London Symphony Orchestra Strings - Pizz Pizz Pizz (4:25)
11. Manu Delago; London Symphony Orchestra Strings - Orchestral Noise Beats (3:58)
12. Manu Delago; London Symphony Orchestra Strings - Headbang (2:21)
13. Manu Delago; London Symphony Orchestra Strings - Reprise (2:31)
14. Manu Delago; London Symphony Orchestra Strings - Closing of the Parts (2:47)