For years J. Peter Schwalm's
compositions and productions have been impressive proof of the power of sound
without words. More consistent than ever, on his new album How We Fall, he
creates sound sculptures that transcend common categories. Their structures can
take on rough or gently curved forms, unfold associative or contemplative
effects, and may even make the listener shiver. Schwalm's feel for nuances,
tension arcs and individual sounds is based on talent and many years of experience.
From 1998 J. Peter Schwalm worked continuously with Brian
Eno for six years, together they released the album Drawn From Life, wrote the
soundtrack to Nicolas Winding Rfn's feature film Fear X, gave celebrated
concerts in Europe and Japan. Since 2006 Schwalm has been a regular guest at
the Punktfestival in Kristiansand, Norway, where he distinguished himself and
elsewhere as one of the few experienced live remixers, among others for members
of the widely acclaimed Ensemble Modern. In spring 2016 Schwarm's last album
The Beauty Of Disaster was released. Artistically, it revolved around a duality
that shapes the visual arts and music as well as life itself: a certain
melancholy that is always inherent in hope. The American PROG magazine praised:
"Schwalm's pieces are nuanced and orchestrally textured, with meticulously
sculpted, cinematic sound design..." and igloomag.com summed up:
"Precise, skillful production work originates a crystal clear sound that
intensifies the emotional charms and atmospheric aura of the peculiar, eclectic
musicianship."
"When I started going back into the studio in January
2017, the direction of the new production was still completely unclear to
me," recalls J. Peter Schwalm. The musician, born in Frankfurt am Main in
1970, had already distinguished himself through profound compositions and
generally stood for rather dark facets of orchestral electronic music. In
autumn 2016, an existential experience was added, leaving deep traces. A
diagnosed brain tumor was to be surgically removed, which proved impossible
during the operation. Schwalm nevertheless set to work under this impression,
partly weakened by the inevitably following chemotherapy. Over the course of
the year, pieces were created that reflect feelings such as restlessness, fear,
despair and anger, but artistically process these emotions into abstract
sounds. With that high degree of willingness to style and design that
characterised Schwalm's earlier productions.
The artistic, surprising changes in sound and tuning
Strofort undergoes as a lead piece by How We Fall set an example for the
following 45 minutes. As suggestive as a soundtrack that doesn't need images,
the composition of carefully arranged surfaces and imaginary scraps of language
blowing across from another dimension, over rhythmic phrases and beats to a
complex condensation in which supposed organ motifs are interwoven. In the
course of the album there are pieces like Stormbruch, which think the concept
of the slowly increasing Drones further. Or Strofort and Clingon, where the
pulse plays an important role. "Compared to the previous record, this time
I worked more with rhythmic details, including odd and opposite meters,"
states Schwalm.
The restart after the break due to illness was not easy for
J. Peter Schwalm at the beginning. "In the first few weeks after the
operation, I listened through my archive to get distracted and inspired,"
he describes his new start. "Then I started designing miniatures on the
piano, developing harmonies that I sent into my equipment. I came to the
dramatic realization that I had to rediscover parts of my equipment because I
couldn't remember all the functions." Popular or widespread plug-ins are
not part of his repertoire, instead he uses analog and digital outboard effects
to achieve his characteristic sound. He also developed the technique of multi
track composing, which he taught in theory and practice at the Punktfestival as
well as at seminars in London, Tallinn and at the Filmakademie
Baden-Württemberg. Over time, Schwalm transformed and abstracted his original
ideas, varied and expanded the range of timbres until instruments he had
initially used were no longer recognizable.
"During the process I realized that there are parallels
between my personal experiences and emotions and the current social and
political situation in the world," Schwalm recalls. This thought brought
him to titles for some pieces, which sometimes associate a deceptive proximity
to English terms. "In fact, however, they are partly names of real
villages and stud farms," says Schwalm, who even has family ties to the
region. "The locations are near a zone selected by the American military
command during the Cold War of the 1980s as a drop zone for nuclear bombs to
prevent possible attacking Russian military forces from occupying
Germany." The strategists of the American armed forces called this
environment a Fulda Gap.
Since his collaboration with Brian Eno, which included a
joint performance with Krautrock legend Holger Czukay, J. Peter Schwalm has
composed for the Stuttgart Ballet, the Lyceum Theatre Sheffield, London
choreographer Hofech Shechter and the series Das Neue Werk des NDR. Since 2008
Schwalm has been playing with the style-shaping electric guitarist and sound
developer Eivind Aarset from Oslo, who has long been just as much a reference
point for him as London bassist Tim Harries. In 2013 Schwalm was invited to
perform a specially developed project with these two long-term partners and
other musicians at the 44th German Jazz Festival in Frankfurt. In the same year
he was commissioned by the London ensemble Icebreaker to develop a new piece
from works by the electronic pioneers Kraftwerk. With Kraftwerk Uncovered - A
Future Past Icebreaker and Schwalm toured successfully through England and
Ireland. In 2016, after the release of The Beauty Of Disaster, Schwalm produced
the band Chat Noir. He realized a live installation at the Frankfurter Kunstverein
and presented an excerpt from his personal Bach adaptations at the Alte Oper
Frankfurt. He is currently working on a radio play for Hessischer Rundfunk, for
which he is writing music and texts as well as directing.
For J. Peter Schwalm, How We Fall is a kind of snapshot that
was taken in a relatively short time compared to earlier works. "The music
represents a closed universe that reflects the moment and the circumstances in
which it was created," he explains. All pieces are profoundly personal,
and moreover figure as an intensive expression of a sound artist who no longer
has to make any compromises. The music undoubtedly sounds dark, but never
depressed, almost always gives a hint of light at least. With substantial and
timeless quality, the album stands out from quickly consumable, trendy
concepts. Instead of tickling key stimuli, How We Fall rewards repeated hearing
with the revelation of ever new details.
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