In a Landscape cover

In a Landscape

Max Richter · 2024

56 min · 19 tracks · ambient music

An ethereal soundscape intertwining minimalist piano motifs with lush orchestral textures, inviting introspection and serenity.

Spotify Apple Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    They Will Shade Us With Their Wings Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its expansive soundscape that combines haunting melodies and layered harmonics, encapsulating the overarching themes of contemplation and nature.
  • →
    And Some Will Fall — With its rich orchestral arrangement, this track exemplifies Richter’s ability to evoke profound emotional responses through minimalist composition, making it a standout piece on the album.
  • →
    Love Song (After JE) — This track serves as a poignant centerpiece, weaving intimate piano lines with delicate strings to create an atmosphere of warmth and vulnerability, reflecting the personal nature of Richter's work.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
73 /100
Alpine
Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

Richter's blend of minimalist piano and orchestral textures creates a cohesive and introspective ambient experience.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of minimalist piano motifs that recur throughout, creating a meditative atmosphere.
  • Each track transitions smoothly into the next, often using overlapping textures to maintain an ethereal soundscape.
  • The overall length of the album allows for extended pieces that develop slowly, inviting deep listening and reflection.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
9/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • ethereal soundscapes for introspection
  • wave-like pacing for serenity
  • immersive experience for quiet moments
  • short interludes fostering reflection
  • explorative themes inviting contemplation

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of instant gratification
  • prefer energetic, upbeat tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Experimental — Continues Richter's ambient exploration, diverging from earlier works and evolving the genre.
Themes
natural landscapes· intimate reflections· expansive soundscapes
Career context
In a Landscape marks Max Richter's continued exploration of ambient music following his acclaimed album Sleep in 2019. By 2024, he had established himself as a leading figure in contemporary classical and ambient genres, known for blending traditional instrumentation with modern soundscapes.
Stylistic neighbors
Ólafur Arnalds· Nils Frahm· Hammock
New to Max Richter? Find your way in →

Tracklist

  • 1 They Will Shade Us With Their Wings Start here 8:33
  • 2 Life Study I 0:46
  • 3 A Colour Field (Holocene) 2:25
  • 4 Life Study II 1:24
  • 5 And Some Will Fall 8:04
  • 6 Life Study III 1:04
  • 7 The Poetry of Earth (Geophony) 3:58
  • 8 Life Study IV 0:31
  • 9 Only Silent Words 2:16
  • 10 Life Study V 0:30
  • 11 Late and Soon 7:10
  • 12 Life Study VI 0:41
  • 13 Andante 2:33
  • 14 Life Study VII 1:01
  • 15 A Time Mirror (Biophony) 3:58
  • 16 Life Study VIII 0:42
  • 17 Love Song (After JE) 5:39
  • 18 Life Study IX 0:52
  • 19 Movement, Before All Flowers 4:17

What to play next

Illuminated Horizons
Listen next

Illuminated Horizons

2023

Continues the ethereal sound with rich textures and introspective themes.
Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works
Go back to

Three Worlds: Music From Woolf Works

2017

Sets a contemplative mood that leads into the serene atmosphere of In a Landscape.
Full Max Richter discography Where to start with Max Richter Artists like Max Richter

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Re:member

Re:member

Ólafur Arnalds

Combines minimal piano lines with electronic textures, creating a serene and introspective atmosphere.

Spaces

Spaces

Nils Frahm

Explores expansive soundscapes using a blend of acoustic and electronic elements, evoking deep reflection.

Departure Songs

Departure Songs

Hammock

Features lush ambient textures and emotive melodies that invite contemplation and a sense of vastness.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata