Eastern philosophy asserts that any ending is simultaneously the beginning of something new. And if you ask me, it seems like an excellent excuse to greet the New Year with a new musical story, doesn’t it? Thomas Hewitt Jones certainly thought so when he decided to present his new album, “Rural TV Classical”, in January 2025. And what could be more fitting for the beginning of the year than a rural landscape? Its dreamy, cinematic atmosphere, where every breath of nature is a new chapter in an endless book, tells of the quiet yet powerful beauty of the world beyond the city. “Rural TV Classical” is escapism at its finest, of course, with a touch of romanticism. Thomas Hewitt Jones is known for his unique style, combining musicality, visual imagery, and emotional depth. His music blends romanticism, graceful lightness, and poetic dynamism.
Photo by @thomashewittjonesmusic
It is no surprise that the first track on Thomas Hewitt Jones’s new album is the piece “Aerial View”, as its melodies unfold under a veil of melancholy and hidden sensuality. The sound feels unexpectedly precise, almost photographic, as if you can see the light falling on the ground and the wind caressing the tall grass. The coloring and dynamics of the composition convey the atmosphere of life in a small village with its simple joys and dramas. Everything is exquisitely and meticulously crafted, leaving no room for randomness, as Thomas knows how to capture a moment and make it timeless. The music presented on the album and its performance possess great artistic power. The composer demonstrates extraordinary flexibility in dynamics and vividness in the compositions “Countryside Vista,” “Farmland,” “New Day on the Farm,” and “Children on the Farm.” In them, the entire musical texture is well-heard, and a lively, elevated concert atmosphere is strongly felt.
The album focuses on conveying the atmosphere of rural life; the melodies are expressive, with the sound of winds, rustling leaves, the gentle whisper of water, the creaking of old wood, and the awakening of grass. Each of the 15 compositions embodies these sounds, giving them a special place in the musical narrative. The pieces resemble moments when light and shadow intersect in the morning mist, creating a unique sense of ephemerality that is so hard to hold onto. The composer masterfully balances on the edge of moods, skillfully manipulating them, playing with fleeting and ever-changing sensations. This is particularly vivid in the track “Vet Emergency. ” The author plays with emotions, not allowing them to settle on any one feeling. It seems as if the sound takes shape depending on how it is perceived by the listener.
And when you reach the second part of the album, with pieces like “Timelapse Planting,” “Sally’s Market Stall,” “Ecosystem,“ and “Lambing Season,” another world opens up. It feels as though the same path is being explored, but each time something new emerges. It is in these pieces that space for combinations with nuances appears, where subtle changes tint the movement, and the music scatters in glimmers.
Thomas Hewitt Jones is a composer known for his music’s refined subtlety. In particular, “Farmer Jack” demonstrates his ability to create lighthearted, playful, and at the same time touching musical images. The unpretentious melodies, like watercolor strokes on a canvas, paint the atmosphere of a warm, slightly nostalgic memory of life on a farm. The main theme of this composition, in my opinion, is the contrast between the rural way of life and the dynamic reality of the city. In “Farmer Jack,” Thomas uses fluid harmonies that smoothly transition into one another, carrying a gentle irony that is not devoid of warmth.
Photo by @thomashewittjonesmusic
The final, “The Outdoors,” perfectly concludes this musical cycle. It reveals the theme of nature in a more expansive and free-spirited key. Unlike “Farmer Jack,” where the accents are placed on a cozy atmosphere, “The Outdoors” emphasizes the endless spaces, the grandeur of nature through bright and expansive themes.
“Rural TV Classical,” makes its way to the heart, like a random encounter with someone you have known for a long time. It seems that everything is already behind, but suddenly you realize that this is the beginning of something new, something you never expected. Farewell, noisy city. Hello, rural expanses, where you can forget everything and simply be. And so, to the sounds of “Rural TV Classical”, we greet the New Year and, perhaps, a new version of ourselves.
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