Retreat: an interview with pianist and composer Justus Rümenapp
When Justus Rümenapp composed and recorded his newest album of solo piano pieces, Retreat, it was, in his words, to “give his listeners a moment of escapism and a place to relax and retreat to, in any situation and any place.” He was successful. With evocative titles, lyrical lines, and elegant playing, this music allows the listener to breathe deeply, stop striving, and sit in stillness. I’m grateful that pianist and composer Justus Rümenapp graciously took the time to share his thoughts on music and composing, even while preparing for Retreat’s July 29 release. And I hope that you, too, will find this music restful and healing. It is an honor to feature him on No Dead Guys.
At what age did you first become interested in music, and why was the piano your instrument of choice?
I first came into contact with the piano when I was 5 years old. The piano fascinated me from the beginning because it’s a harmony and melody-based instrument in one, so you can accompany yourself.
When did you first start composing, and what style of pieces did you write?
I started composing when I was about 12 years old. In my youth I played a lot of classical music – I think one can still hear the influence in my compositions today. But artists like George Winston or Ludovico Einaudi have also influenced and inspired me over time.
What other composers have been the biggest influence on your musical style?
On my 12th birthday, my parents gave me a CD of Keith Jarret‘s “The Köln Concert“. This album inspired me a lot, as I love his way of improvising and working with melodies.
Another great artist is George Winston: his “Variations on the Canon” in particular inspired me as a composer because it connects classical and neoclassical ways of playing piano in a unique style.
What genre of music best fits your compositional style?
I think some compositions of mine are composed in a neoclassical style. In the case of my upcoming album, Retreat, has a lot of influences from the classical and the cinematic side. Many of its tracks are a bit more virtuosic and less minimalistic than a typical “neoclassical“ piano album.
You write that your music explores “cinematic styles and in-depth studies of specific emotions and imagery.” How do you feel these things are portrayed in your compositions?
When composing, I often have an inner feeling or an image in mind and try to wrap it up in music. So every single track evokes a certain emotion in myself and while playing the composition, I try to put these feelings into the performance of my music. I think that is what awakens the cinematic character of my work.
The possibility of putting my own emotions into music makes me really happy. This has also been a factor of why I prefer to start composing original compositions rather than playing classical music from note sheets.
In addition to your solo piano releases, you compose soundtracks for cinematic films, such as working with the Swiss animation studio Pixcube for the award-winning short Hope by Michael Scherrer, as well as writing for TV commercials. How do you feel your music soundtracks influence your solo works?
Due to the film music, I think I often have an orchestrated version in mind during the composing process, which I try to set to music with my left hand. It also happens the other way around, in that I further develop and underline a melody composed on the piano with an orchestra.
Tell me about your upcoming recording, Retreat, which you describe as “a moment of escapism and a place to relax and retreat to, in any situation and any place.” What inspired this project and how do you hope it will speak to your listeners?
Some tracks from my album were created while traveling in my camper van. For example, I composed the melody for "Somewhere Far Away” when I was amongst the beautiful scenery of Sardinia; the idea for "A Place Like Home" also came to me while surfing out on the Baltic Sea. Other tracks were created at my home after a stressful day at work.
For me, music and nature is my retreat. I want to give my listeners this feeling of “security” through my album.
You’ve written, “Music is my way to describe emotions. For me as an artist, but also for my listeners, it is a kind of retreat that should give a feeling of security and home.” How do you feel you best do this in Retreat?
I think that feeling comes across best in the tracks "Only To Be Found" and "Somewhere Far Away". For me, these tracks are the calmest and most emotional pieces of the album because of the slow tempo and the memorable melodies. Both tracks give enough space for the listeners to relax and dive into their own retreat.
My favorite tracks of Retreat” are “The Tranquil Moments”—a piece in which you’ve found tranquility in motion—and “A Place of Happiness,” a composition that you perform with poignancy and tenderness. Why did you feel that tranquility required so much musical motion, and that happiness is also poignant?
Even if my melodies sometimes sound a bit thoughtful or melancholic, it makes me extremely happy to play and compose them. That's why I called this track “A Place of Happiness", despite the melancholic character.
I didn't name the track “The Tranquil Moments“ because of its calm character either; rather, I experienced a sense of calm and contentment while composing and listening to the melody.
You recorded “Different To Our Daily Lives” and “A Retreat Back To Tranquil Moments” on a felted piano. Why did you feel those tracks required a more muted feel than the rest of the album?
When composing, I often switch between my grand piano and a felted piano. I will compose a melody on one instrument and then play it again on another, then decide which sound I find more suitable for the track. Retreat was largely composed on a Blüthner.
When was Retreat released and where may we listen to it?
Retreat was released the 29th of July. The album is available on all digital streaming services. It is also accompanied by the official music video for “A Place Like Home”, which will be available on the same day via YouTube, Apple Music etc.
Will you be publishing sheet music for these pieces? If so, where might we purchase it?
We are currently working on sheet music; none have been published yet so that is something that listeners can look forward to while they enjoy and become familiar with the album! If you follow me on social media, you will be sure to hear once it is ready.
What advice do you have for young composers looking to make a career in music?
You should always believe in yourself and stay true to yourself. Even if you feel disappointed at times or your music gets criticized, you should never stop making music and, above all, never stop enjoying making music.
Justus Rümenapp is a pianist and composer from Göttingen, Germany. He began learning to play piano at the age of 6, and after 10 years, took to composing as a way to express his emotions. After graduating from high school, Justus began studying pop music design at the Popakademie Mannheim in 2011 alongside his classical piano studies. It was during this time that the composer developed his skills in music production and sound design, exploring cinematic styles and in-depth studies of specific emotions and imagery.
Since 2015, Rümenapp has released a project almost every year, both independently and as a signed artist. His earlier independent works, Piano Dreams (2015), Piano Meditations (2016), Phanta Rei (2017), Time Travel (2018) and Kaleidoscope (2020) are filled with still life-like studies of nature and time; from deja vu to moments that feel infinite, from a dock in the harbour to a place that exists only in the mind. These projects have led to signing with 1631 Recordings for albums Pure and Melodies of Hope in 2021, publishing by Warner Chappell for Postcards (2022), and most recently signing to Silent Beat Records, with whom Justus will be releasing his latest album Retreat, out 29 July.
Alongside his solo projects, Justus composes cinematic soundtracks for visuals and film, such as in cooperation with the Swiss animation studio “Pixcube” for the award-winning short film “Hope“ by Michael Scherrer. Elsewhere, Rümenapp has created compositions for TV commercials, such as Deutsche Telekom and BelVeb Bank. Over the course of his career, Justus’ music has touched classical and non-classical audiences around the world, earning him over 450 thousand monthly listens on Spotify and features in key classical playlists across Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer.