Noah Crist – “Welcome to Loch Raven”

Last year, Noah Crist poured hundreds of hours into writing and producing a massive first symphony. By the time it came out in February, he was completely burned out and needed a reset. He grabbed an old handheld recorder from a friend, picked up a lapel mic and a tripod, and headed out to Loch Raven Reservoir just outside Baltimore. That decision gave us “Welcome to Loch Raven”, a field recording piece centered on a quiet piano track.

Noah set up his gear near the water, hit record, and walked away so he would not disturb the surroundings. You can actually hear his footsteps receding at the beginning. The wind moving in the trees, birds singing back and forth, and gentle ambient noise merge naturally with his original piano melody. Having grown up hiking around the reservoir with his dad, Noah built this piece around a place that holds genuine personal value to him. It works best if you put on a solid set of headphones, close your eyes, and just lay back. The noise of the city fades away, leaving a soundscape that is peaceful, grounded, and deeply restorative.

Noah Crist gained early experience in the Maryland State Boychoir and has sung with groups like the Baltimore Choral Arts Society. Moving from big choral and orchestral projects to field recording might seem like a sharp turn, but his background is obvious in how carefully the piano and nature balance each other out. He is already working on expanding this project into a full album with more field audio from the reservoir, including recordings around the Merrymans Trail and the bridge.

I am completely in love with this release, and it has been on repeat for me. If you enjoy this track, you should definitely check out his previous releases to hear how his writing has evolved over time. Be sure to follow Noah Crist on his social channels and music platforms to stay updated on all his upcoming releases for the rest of this year, as he continues to turn simple, real world moments into beautiful art.