Neoclassical (Dark Wave)

Infobox Music genre
name=Neoclassical Dark Wave
bgcolor=white
color=black
stylistic_origins=Neoclassical Dark Wave Ethereal Wave Dark folk Dark ambient
cultural_origins=Late 20th century, Europe
instruments=Synthesizers Brass instruments Pipe organs
popularity=Very Low. Most famous in central Europe.
derivatives=
subgenrelist=
subgenres=
fusiongenres=
regional_scenes=
other_topics=Dark Wave Neoclassical

Neoclassical Dark Wave refers to a music genre within the Dark Wave movement. It is distinct from academic neoclassical music, a style of classical music dating from the early Twentieth Century which emphasized formal perfection, elegance of style and purity of taste. [cite book
last = Machlis
first = Joseph
title = Introduction to Contemporary Music, Second Edition
publisher = W. W. Norton and Company
date = 1979
pages = 163-164
isbn = 0-939-09026-4] This usage of the term 'neoclassical' refers to a style of music influenced by classical music, where 'the performer is weaving elements from the baroque, classical, romantic, impressionistic, and/or more challenging 20th century styles into a more original approach.' [cite web | title = Neoclassical Genre
work = www.allmusic.com | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=77:132
author = Kohanov, Linda
accessmonthday = July 14 | accessyear = 2008] This style of music is also known by various other names, such as 'contemporary instrumental music' and 'contemporary classical'. [cite web | title = Soothing Music for Mind Body Spirit
work = Lewis Sound Productions LLC
url = http://www.richardlewismclane.com/index.htm
quote = In addition to the label of 'contemporary instrumental', one may encounter classifications such as 'contemporary classical', 'neoclassical', 'new age', 'polystylism (eclecticism)', and other variants.
accessmonthday = September 25 | accessyear = 2008] It had been first used by music artists dating from the mid-1970's at the beginnings of the new age music movement. [cite web | title = Review of Fresh Aire (1975) by Mannheim Steamroller
author = Connolly, Dave
work = www.allmusic.com
url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:jnfrxqw5ldke
quote = a unique mix of light classical piano music, progressive rock, and medieval songs.
accessmonthday = September 25 | accessyear = 2008]

In the middle of the 1980s, the bands Dead Can Dance and In the Nursery released influential albums which essentially laid the foundations of the Neoclassical Dark Wave genre. In 1985 Dead Can Dance released "Spleen and Ideal", which initiated the band's 'medieval European sound.' [cite web | title = Review of "Spleen and Ideal" | work = allMusic Guide
author = Raggett, Ned
url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:difrxqr5ldje
accessmonthday = June 26 | accessyear = 2008] In 1987 In the Nursery released "Stormhorse", which exhibited a bold, cinematic style and a symphonic/industrial sound lending itself to 'being envisioned as backing music for a dramatic epic.' [cite web | title = Review of "Stormhorse" | work = allMusic Guide
author = Raggett, Ned
url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3ifrxqwhldae
accessmonthday = June 26 | accessyear = 2008] This music, 'clearly more inspired by the classical than the rock tradition, had a melancholy, visionary and sometimes nostalgic quality'. [cite web | title = Gothic Rock | work = History of Rock
author = Scaruffi, Piero
url = http://www.scaruffi.com/history/cpt47.html
accessmonthday = June 26 | accessyear = 2008]

Inspired by early music and modern classical, Neoclassical Dark Wave combines an atmospheric, orchestral approach with the dark and melancholy aesthetics of Dark Wave. Neoclassical Dark Wave makes extensive use of orchestral elements, typically where budget permits; many bands utilize orchestra-derived synthesizer samples, while some better-known groups such as Elend make use of chamber orchestras and other acoustic instruments. Vocals in the subgenre can vary; many Neoclassical Dark Wave groups make use of opera- or madrigal-like vocals are seen in the genre, as are purely instrumental groups. Several bands in the subgenre are notable for a martial approach, including heavy use of snare drum and militaristic themes.

Notable Artists

* All My Faith Lost [cite web | title = Review of "The Hours"
work = Side-Line.com music news magazine
url = http://www.side-line.com/reviews_comments.php?id=28865_0_17_0_C
accessmonthday = June 16 | accessyear = 2008
quote = The melancholic neo-classical style of the music leads the listener into a world of sadness.]
* Amber Asylum [cite web | title = Amber Asylum | work = Profound Lore Records
url = http://www.profoundlorerecords.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=77&Itemid=28
quote = One of the most respected and influential acts that have emerged from the neo-classical/gothic/ambient/and post-rock alternative scene...
accessmonthday = June 16 | accessyear = 2008]
* Arcana [cite web | title = Projekt Artist: "Arcana"
work = Projekt darkwave shop
url = http://www.projekt.com/projekt/artist.asp?id=1047
author = www.kogaionon.com
accessmonthday = June 16 | accessyear = 2008
quote = ...one of the leading bands in the neoclassical genre.]
* Artesia
* Ashram [cite web | title = Shining Silver Skies, Review by Dark Realms Magazine
work = Equilibrium Music
url = http://www.equilibriummusic.com/dtlrelease.php3?AlbumID=2426
author = Ambrose, Camille
accessmonthday = September 8 | accessyear = 2008
quote = Ashram delivers beautiful and somber neoclassical music that conjures a darkly romantic mood.]
* Ataraxia [cite web
title = Heathen Harvest Reviews: Ataraxia / Autunna et sa Rose - La Via Verso Il Cielo
work = Heathen Harvest Webzine
url = http://www.heathenharvest.com/article.php?story=20050918114252943
author = Thorn, Malahki
accessmonthday = August 15 | accessyear = 2008
quote = ...fundamental members of the neoclassical music genre...]
* Autumn Tears
* Autunna et sa Rose [cite web | title = Review of "Odos Eis Ouranon"
work = Funprox.com webzine (archive)
author = D., Hans
url = http://www.funprox.com/index.php/webzine-archive/reviews/2005_09/ataraxia-autunna-et-sa-rose-odos-eis-ouranon-la-via-verso-il-cielo/
accessmonthday = July 24 | accessyear = 2008
quote = The neo-classical music of Autunna et sa Rose is dramatic and melancholic.]
* Bacio di Tosca
* Camerata Mediolanense [cite web | title = Camerata Mediolanense Artist Page
work = Dark Transmission record label website
url = http://www.dark-transmission.de/html/camerata_mediolanese.html
quote = Its music can be classified as darkwave/neoclassical, with folk elements.
accessmonthday = September 26 | accessyear = 2008]
* Caprice
* Changelings, The [cite web | title = Review of "Astronomica"
work = www.fluxeuropa.com | url = http://www.fluxeuropa.com/changelings-astronomica.htm
quote = Gothic, neofolk, neoclassical, and cinematic ...
author = Rik
accessmonthday = September 10 | accessyear = 2008]
* Chaostar
* Collection d'Arnell Andréa [cite web | title = Review of "Villers-aux-Vents"
work = www.fluxeuropa.com | url = http://www.fluxeuropa.com/review.htm?item=41
quote = ...the fifth neo-classical rock album from "CdAA"...
author = Rik
accessmonthday = June 16 | accessyear = 2008]
* Dargaard
* Dark Sanctuary [cite web
title = "Thoughts: 9 years in the sanctuary" album description
work = Projekt darkwave shop
url = http://www.projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?dept_id=10&sku=PRO00168
accessmonthday = June 16 | accessyear = 2008
quote = They create a lovely, lush, somber neo-classical sound ...]
* Dead Can Dance
* Devil Doll
* Die Verbannten Kinder Evas
* Elane [cite web | title = Elane - Lore of Nén CD
work = Equilibrium Music
url = http://www.equilibriummusic.com/dtltitle.php3?AlbumID=3047
accessmonthday = October 8 | accessyear = 2008
quote = The new masterpiece by this German fantasy-inspired Neo-Classical project. ]
* Elend
* H.E.R.R.
* In The Nursery
* Les Secrets de Morphée
* Life's Decay
* Love Is Colder Than Death [cite web
author = Marks, Peter
title = Review of "Time"
work = Release Music Magazine
quote = For the first half of the 1990s, this band were in the vanguard of the neo-classical movement...
url = http://www.releasemagazine.net/Onrecord/orloveiscolderthandeatht.htm
accessmonthday = June 16 | accessyear = 2008]
* Midnight Syndicate
* Mirabilis [cite web | title = Projekt Artist: "Mirabilis"
work = Projekt darkwave shop
url = http://www.projekt.com/projekt/artist.asp?id=1054
quote = Mirabilis is the neo-classical/ethereal musical project started by Dru Allen of This Ascension and Summer Bowman of the Machine in the Garden.
accessmonthday = June 16 | accessyear = 2008]
* Narsilion
* Ophelia's Dream
* Ordo Funebris
* Persephone
* Protagonist, The
* Rising Shadows
* Sagittarius
* Schattenkinder [cite web | work = www.Gothtronic.com
title = Review of "Weisser Regen"
url = http://www.gothtronic.com/?page=23&reviews=4649
author = TekNoir
quote = The neo-classical darkwave of this German [band] has clearly developed further based on the sound, such as found on their debut album. . . .
accessmonthday = October 10 | accessyear = 2008]
* Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble of Shadows
* Stoa
* Trobar De Morte
* Vernian Process
* Weltenbrand [cite web | work = Vampire Magazine.com
title = Review of "The End of the Wizard"
url = http://www.vampire-magazine.com/article.php?aid=42211
author = van der Haar, Thijs
quote = ...magnificent, neoclassical compositions...
accessmonthday = June 17 | accessyear = 2008]

References

ee also

* Dark ambient
* Martial music
* Neofolk

Notable labels

* Equilibrium Music
* Prikosnovénie