Discovery: John Hilsen

American composer and pianist John Hilsen has created something really beautiful with his new tune, Other People’s Lives.

By Jane Howkins

Other People’s Lives sounds fairly simplistic at first, but if you listen carefully, you’ll notice that it’s actually very well written. The piano has a delightfully playful vibe, although there’s also a melancholy twist that can be heard within the chord sequence every so often. The left hand plays a similar rhythm throughout, adding a lot of tone to the piece. Meanwhile, the right hand plays some gorgeous little motifs, tailing off every so often as the music develops. This is a must listen for neoclassical fans!