Originally written in 2003 ‘The Blue Notebooks’ is now a cult classic that’s paved the way for a generation of new artists combining classical and electronic elements with a post rock sensibility. Conceptually, Max describes the album as “a meditation on violence and its repercussions, inspired both by the Iraq war – which was looming – and my own experiences”. The album is also intimately personal and Richter recalls that, “as a very sensitive child, I reacted to the violence around me by internalizing everything. My only refuge was music, and I totally disappeared into the internal landscapes it opened up to me.”
The album embodies a morphing cycle of observation and experience. The bonus material matches the main album in ability to evoke, and whether heard in its original or expanded incarnations, it makes for a record of plaintive beauty, where rich organic strings meet gauzy, low fi electronics. Sense-stimulating textures, foley-style found sounds and the ASMR-like detailed capture of actress Tilda Swinton’s renditions create a deeply effective ambience.
The new editions of the album include remixes from Konx-Om-Pax and Jlin – both of which offer a fascinating cultural exchange. Other new features include a previously unreleased track and new arrangements of compositions written at the time. The Super Deluxe Edition also features a brand new track called ‘Cypher’.
Celebrating the anniversary of The Blue Notebooks, Apple Music have created a special room with music from the album, video interviews, and the new short film, On The Nature Of Daylight HERE.
Ltd. Edition Deluxe format HERE
All other formats HERE
Max Richter and artist Yulia Mahr have been announced as the curators of the Barbican’s marathon weekend in 2018. Their ambitious programme is a marathon journey into music, image, and their meeting points in today’s culture. Richter and Mahr’s programme consists of numerous events both ticketed and free, including concerts and film screenings, taking place at the Barbican Centre.
‘HOSTILES’, the western drama, directed by Scott Cooper and starring Christian Bale, Wes Studi and Rosamund Pike features Max’s original score available from Deutsche Grammophon 
Three Worlds: Music from Woolf Works is Album of the Year from BBC Radio 6 Music DJ Cerys Matthews! Have a listen to the album originally scored for the Royal Ballet production Woolf Works 
Join Max on January 23rd at The Royal Glasgow Concert Hall for the live performance of Three Worlds: Music from Woolf Works with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.
