From Oblivion to Hope

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.

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.

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

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 making of this album.

…[Hope] closes with a heartfelt and gorgeous display of sublime strings and emotive songwriting that’s nearly therapeutic.
– Tom Haugen, Take Effect

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

Story behind the tracks

01 Oblivion
02 String Quartet No. 2
03 Life Span
04-07 The Four Seasons…in High Park
08 Unity in Distress
09 Hope