Jean-Marc FOLTZ .clarinets, percussions Stephan OLIVA .piano, percussions Bruno Chevillon .Double bass, percusisons, vocals
description Giacinto Scelsi (1905 – 1988) was undoubtedly one of the landmark creative artists – as well as one of the strangest – of the second half of the 20th C. For both performer and listener, his vocal, instrumental and orchestral music open up areas of undreamt-of expression and poetic density. The Soffio di Scelsi suite has a lot in common with the master’s major concerns, the idea of breath and inspiration above all, for this lovely improvised music exhales the air of freedom and originality as well. (Pierre Michel)
When I first played some music by Scelsi in 1992, I was overwhelmed by its power and force. It resounded deep within me. But it was too late for a face-to-face encounter, he’d gone in search of new horizons four years previously. What remained was the essence of his music and the desire, then gradually I began to discover the thinking behind it all. Sound is the first movement of immobility… Scelsi touches the very soul of any improviser, his music emerges from inside the sound.
This improvised music, reverie, reminiscence and incantation in turn, weaves a web of memories recalling an encounter that could only have happened in a dream… It is also a tribute, traversed by the inspiration of Scelsi… (Jean-Marc Foltz)
The group improvisations and careful work of Jean-Marc, Bruno and Stephan sound like ‘spontaneous compositions’ with balance and structure; the dialogues between instruments are sophisticated and profound, and display great sensitivity. The result is magnificent, intense, fine and refined; there is a beautiful sound with all the necessary respect and awareness. Scelsi would have loved it. (Joëlle Léandre)
Recorded in stereo direct take on April 28th and 29th, 2009 in studios La Buissonne by Gerard de Haro
Mastering : Nicolas Baillard
Steinway Prepared and tuned by Alain Massonneau
Translation : Délia Morris
Graphics and cover-photo: Philippe Ghielmetti (illusions)
Coordination of the project : Manuela Vincendeau
Produced by Gerard de Haro and RJAL, Jean-Marc Foltz, Stephan Oliva and Bruno Chevillon for La Buissonne.