Film composer Alex Heffes releases an album of original solo piano album, via Silva Screen Records. Sudden Light, sees Heffes perform his own music for the first time stripped back to solo piano in an intimate and personal journey of rediscovery. The album tracks reference themes from many of the composer's film and TV scores such as Hope Gap, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom and BBC Earth: One Amazing Day. The digital album includes a bonus track version of 'I Have Been Here Before', featuring actress Annette Bening reciting Rossetti’s poem 'Sudden Light' which inspired the title of the album...

Alex Heffes's work for cinema and TV may have escaped your notice. He has a habit of working on low key projects, yet his style and flair for writing deep, rich, rewarding scores is second to none. He's probably most well known for his work on Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Black Mirror. We've reviewed a handful of his soundtracks (A Suitable Boy, Earth: One Amazing Day, Emperor) and have enjoyed the work of his we have heard. In fact, he's a composer whose long been on my list of artists whose work I need to delve into a little more.

Sudden Light gives Heffes the chance to shine on his own merits. It's an album that allows his own creativity to be set free, unhindered by the constraints of composing to scenes, or appeasing a director. The results are impressive, showcasing a composer who knows how to use music to manipulate the listeners emotions.

Whether you're a fan of Alex Heffes work for film or a lover of solo piano pieces, there is plenty to soak up on Sudden Light. It's multi-layered, rich and deeply rewarding.

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Darren Rea