Although Pauline Frechette’s latest full-length album, An Intimate Story, is packed with amazing compositions, I feel that “War and Peace” (the tenth track on the album) deserves specific mention here. “War and Peace” is not simply a good song. It’s a treasure. It’s a masterfully composed piece of music that takes its listeners away to a place filled with some of the most exquisitely beautiful emotions Frechette has ever expressed. This is a song that has summoned the very best from Frechette. Both on a technical and creative level.

I had a sense of the rich musical tapestry Pauline had weaved for this composition from the moment I began listening. The opening chords and melody convey a dark meandering feeling which also has a subtle playfulness running through it. There’s a momentum to this song which is felt right away. It’s as if the listener is dropped into the midst of a story already in progress. This aspect of “War and Peace” keeps one on their toes and listening with interest.  

The second movement of the song was particularly enjoyable for me. I found myself enthralled by the ominous tension it conjures up. The building tension resolves into a more delicate movement which Frechette performs with a grace and beauty that does not go unnoticed. This lovely feeling soon gives way to slightly enigmatic and mysterious notes adding to the wide range of emotions Frechette displays throughout the piece.

It’s precisely this wide range of feeling that has become somewhat of a signature of Frechette’s. I’ve always been an admirer of the many variations of feeling she expresses through her music. There’s an irony and depth of life which is never too far away from her fingertips. This kind of openness and willingness to bare her soul touches the heart and is where the connection between Frechette and her audience lies. This connection transcends the hype of Frechette’s status as a public figure and is the natural result of hard work and dedication to making honest art.    

There’s something organic about the way “War and Peace” progresses. This composition was not squeezed into an already existing framework or mold. On the contrary, the song has been allowed to come through its composer in a way that celebrates the unique and special attributes that it possesses. This has resulted in a piece of music that has the vigor of life running through it.

“War and Peace” satisfies the listener like a full symphony would. Except this composition consists of a single piano and is less than four minutes in length. The work is a shining example of just how good a contemporary-classical miniature can be. Pauline Frechette is without question at the cutting edge of her genre. You can find “War and Peace”, as well as Pauline’s full catalog of music, on  Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. For all the latest news and updates on what’s happening in Pauline’s world be sure to check out Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.