Neural Variations, the second single from the upcoming album Diminutions, explores the intersection of contemporary classical and electronic music. Composed by Malte Giesen and performed by Maximilian Ehrhardt, the piece is centered around the Italian Renaissance Chromatic harp, a rare 17th-century instrument. In a unique approach, electronic sounds are played through the body of the harp via a speaker attached to its wooden soundboard, blending acoustic resonance with modern textures.
The track unfolds with droning tones and layered string sounds, gradually evolving through strummed effects and shifting melodic timbres. There are folk-like elements intertwined with ambient textures, creating a rich and evolving soundscape that bridges tradition and experimentation.
Ehrhardt is part of a new generation of historical harpists who combine virtuoso performance with scholarly research. He regularly collaborates with leading ensembles such as Concerto Copenhagen, L’Arpeggiata, and Ensemble 1700, while also leading his own projects, including Société Lunaire and the Tage Alter Musik am Bodensee festival. With a background in historical performance and ongoing research at the Orpheus Instituut in Ghent, his work pushes the boundaries of historical and contemporary musical practice.
Following his solo album None but the Brave and his 2023 world premiere recording of Eugène Godecharle’s quartets, Ehrhardt continues to expand the possibilities of the harp. Neural Variations is now available, offering a glimpse into the innovative sonic world of Diminutions.
