‘Memoryhouse’ is a gorgeous collection of pieces by composer Max Richter, initially released in 2002 on the BBC’s short-lived Late Junction label, now long out of print.

Performed by Max Richter with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, this is a longawaited re-release on FatCat Records’ instrumental / orchestral imprint 130701.

‘Memoryhouse’ was produced by Max Richter himself at BBC Manchester. A
series of linked pieces in different media (orchestra / solo / electronic), various musical themes, motifs and variations appear and reappear throughout, often as fleeting as a single melody that disappears almost as soon as it is heard, to create a bright, sparkling, exhilarating, warming, gripping, heartbreaking, comforting and rousing, that never loses its awe-inspiring sense of identity and imagination.

A former member of contemporary classical ensemble Piano Circus, commissioning and performing works by Arvo Part, Brian Eno, Philip Glass, and Steve Reich, Max was also pivotal in developing that groups use of live sampling. Conversely, Max’s orchestrations have also graced records by Future Sound Of London and Roni Size.

Max also arranged and co-produced Vashti Bunyan’s ‘Lookaftering’

An active collaborator in other media, Max received The European Film Award last year for his work on ‘Waltz With Bashir’, Ari Forman’s unique, award-winning animated documentary. Forthcoming scores include Benedek Fliegauf’s near future Dystopia ‘Womb’, as well as ‘From The Art Of Mirrors’, a film / music performance with hitherto unseen Super-8mm films by Derek Jarman.

‘INFRA’, Max’s 2008 collaboration with Wayne Macgregor and Julian Opie for The Royal Ballet, can next be seen at Covent Garden in Spring 2010. A 60 minute BBC documentary about the project as well as a full performance will shortly be available on DVD.