From Oblivion to Hope

From Oblivion to Hope, as performed by the Odin Quartet, is a gorgeous collection of Horvat’s string quartet music and his ideas. Here his message is clear: music is an important tool in raising the level of positivity and hope on this planet as well as in our individual lives. Change is possible. – Ivana Popovic, WholeNote Magazine

Oblivion Odin Quartet 08:20
String Quartet No. 2 Odin Quartet 06:29
Life Span Odin Quartet 07:06
The Four Seasons...in High Park - 1. Spring Odin Quartet 05:03
The Four Seasons...in High Park - 2. Summer Odin Quartet 06:53
The Four Seasons...in High Park - 3. Fall Odin Quartet 06:25
The Four Seasons...in High Park - 4. Winter Odin Quartet 04:43
Unity in Distress Odin Quartet 01:41
Hope Odin Quartet 08:27

These are engaging compositions and performances of music that addresses both the intellect and the heart, sometimes with the impact of a subtle punch in the gut, or is it in the spirit? One feels the intimacy of the composer’s presence, as if he is attempting to probe the often unresolvable with the listener’s -your -collaboration.
– James Strecker Reviews the Arts

I Am Who I Am Records is proud to present, From Oblivion to Hope, a string quartet album of music by Canadian composer Frank Horvat, performed by the Odin Quartet, releasing March 31, 2023.

This album starts pessimistically with a track called Oblivion, which is an easy headspace to live in these days, especially in the context of the pandemic and its outcomes. As the album progresses, the tone evolves into something more optimistic, ending with a heartfelt work simply called Hope. The idea of going from the negative to the positive is a mindset and a mental health issue that fascinates the composer these days. The hope is that we can all unearth a life with more hope.

Four of the tracks on the album are dedicated to the composition The Four Seasons…in High Park. This piece combines inspiration for two greats – Vivaldi’s iconic work and Toronto’s High Park. A series of four music videos in High Park, one in each glorious season, are available for viewing here.

Learn more about the project.

Recording funded in part thanks to generous support from:

From Oblivion to Hope - composed by Frank Horvat

Type

Contemporary Classical Chamber

ALBUM ART

View booklet

Musicians

Odin Quartet
Alex Toskov (violin)
Tanya Charles Iveniuk (violin)
Matt Antal (viola)
Samuel Bisson (cello)

Composed By

Frank Horvat

Produced By

Frank Horvat & Alex Toskov

Recorded At

The Canterbury Music Co. by Julian Decorte, July and Sept 2022

Mastered By

Dennis Patterson

Cover Photo/Design

Matthew Maaskant

Label

I Am Who I Am Records

Release Date

31 March 2023

String Quartet No. 2 is a percussive, textural ball of high energy seeking more stable expression. – WholeNote Magazine

The Four Seasons…in High Park…contains many literal quotes but its strength lies in dismantling the original ideas into building blocks of unique compositional language. – WholeNote Magazine