Eindhoven pianist and composer Ruben Gerards, who made a dream start to his career with a performance on NPO Klassiek and more than three million streams for his debut release, combines music with technology in the release of his latest EP, "Manifold". What sets this project apart are not only the captivating and intimate piano compositions, but also an intriguing online experience that accompanies the title track. This platform invites users to delve deeper into the composition by exploring each layer of the musical piece individually. Listeners can navigate through the various layers of the music in an interactive way.
Ruben shares his enthusiasm for this innovative approach, saying: "Music is something that can be felt and experienced by everyone, I wanted to create an experience with 'Manifold' where listeners could actively participate in the artistic process. Most people listen to music as a whole - but this way, everyone gets the chance to experience the individual building blocks that make up a piece of music and thus listen to music in an even deeper way."
"Manifold" not only showcases Ruben's craftsmanship as a composer, but also establishes him as a pioneer in embracing technology to reshape the relationship between artist and listener. Ruben on the development process: "I taught myself to program during the corona lockdowns, because as a musician there was no more work. Fortunately I can reach my listeners live again now, but in the meantime I like to combine the coding skills I acquired back then in a creative way with my music. That way I can put that difficult period to good use for my audience and for myself in a positive way."
The interdisciplinary approach is characteristic of Gerards, who continually seeks ways to expand his music; "Earlier, artist Marjan De Ridder already created a series of beautiful paintings inspired by my music. I was then able to use those as artwork for my compositions. In the future I hope to do many more exciting collaborations, experiments and projects, fortunately I have no shortage of ideas." says Ruben.
Visit www.rubengerards.com for more information about "Manifold" and to immerse yourself in the interactive experience.