In all of its tenderly wistful sublimity, the latest modern classical orchestral score, Almost Yesterday by Con Piliouras, is enough to make you pine your way through the entire production, as you become cognisant of the way time slips, memories fade, and life favours those who live in moments fully.
Performed by a live ensemble, the composition gathers classical guitar, piano, oboe, flute, string quintet and percussion into a piece that feels intimate without shrinking its emotional reach. Almost Yesterday forces you to stay present through mournful strings, warm classical Spanish guitar and rushes of euphonia when the ensemble reaches a crescendo of pure tonal and emotional synergy.
There is almost a fantastical, folksy vitality to the instrumental piece that floods the ribcage with eloquently bittersweet melodic poetry. The lyrical melodies and rich harmonies give the score a serene surface, yet underneath that poise, Piliouras allows grief, remembrance and tenderness to move in slow, cinematic waves. It feels composed for the pensive point of looking back and realising the past was becoming memory while you were still standing inside it.
If you favour warmth, depth and human touch over sterile polish, Con Piliouras has created a modern classical score that delivers a temperately evocative, oceanically affecting release; let go with it.
Almost Yesterday is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify.
Review by Amelia Vandergast
