Personnel: Max Richter (piano); Preston Reed, Zac Ware (guitars); Alison Dodds, Natalia Bonner, Louisa Fuller, Robert McFall (violin); John Metcalfe (viola); Ian Burdge, Su-a Lee, Chris Worsey (cello); Francis McDonald (drums).

Audio Mixer: Max Richter .

Self-proclaimed "post-classical" musician Max Richter delivers on the promise of POSTCARDS' title, offering a theoretical sonic accompaniment to the emotions implied in sending postcards from afar to friends and loved ones. Or, for even more modern purposes, they could be passionately composed ringtones, an antidote to the blaring lo-fi renderings of pop hits blasting from people's cellphones. Utilizing little aside from ambient strings, short-wave radio snippets, and some background piano atmosphere, Richter tantalizes those seeking longer digressions, but offers up short bursts of beauty for people caught in the fast pace of modern life.