Peter Xifaras’s Dystopian World is a collection of hauntingly beautiful and bleak compositions that reflect the Orwellian aspects of modern society and technology. Xifaras’s compositions are expressive and feature novel manipulation of harmony and melody, creating atmospheres that are at once eerie and arresting.
Peter Xifaras is based in Charlestown, close to Boston. A classical composer, guitarist, and producer, Xifaras is an award-winning musician whose impact in the realms of classical and classical crossover is undeniable. On Dystopian World, the title of Xifaras’ latest EP, Xifaras is exploring the timeless themes of thought control, freedom of speech, surveillance, and privacy erosion, among others that were first brought to the public attention via George Orwell’s 1949 classic 1984.
Increasingly often we find parallels between our modern society in the 21st century and the ominous atmosphere Orwell crafted in his classic. With technology driving the state of our privacy into a wall, freedom of speech practically exclusive to very limited groups of individuals, and with influencers and entertainment moguls controlling how the masses think and act, it is of little surprise that we live in circumstances that were unthinkable a couple of decades ago. Xifaras capitulates on this darkness with music that is palpable with tension.
Performed alongside the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and with violin work by the renowned Xander Nichting, Dystopian World might be brooding in its melodies and harmonies, but the arrangements, orchestration, and production are of sublime beauty and quality. Xifaras splits the album between two moods. A romantic era inspired one with tangible, melodic, and violin-delivered leads, the other is tense, experimental, often unnerving, and exhilarating. ‘Dreams of a Utopian World’ alongside the album’s serene starter ‘Tears of Humanity’ herald the first of Xifaras’ two approaches, while ‘Dehumanization’, ‘Death Clock’, and ‘Dystopia’ are horrifying examples of the second.
Dystopian World is not groundbreaking in its concept or its grabbing virtuosic array of performances. Instead, it settles for being an expressive display of its composer’s well-defined thoughts and philosophies. A collection of music that’s easy to follow with tension that’s easy to feel and easy to resonate with, yet one that is not necessarily difficult to sit through. The music is balanced with delightful performances and production from world-class players, Displaying Xifaras and his music in the most elegant attire.