Search - Robert Normandeau :: Tangram

Stunning sounds; captivating compositions

Steve Benner | Lancaster, UK | 08/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The original 1994 release of Robert Normandeau's "Tangram" from Diffusion i Média (on the empreintes digitales label) was a double CD edition. It contained TWO copies of the same music: one disc having straight transcripts of the DAT masters, for diffusion use; the other being a recording of the same music diffused into a studio space from an 8-speaker array, better suited for playback over domestic hi-fi. This re-release (in DiM's new environmentally friendly cardboard OPAC packaging) contains just the latter CD but as the two versions were all but indistinguishable from each other (at least on a domestic hi-fi system), there is little lost for the home purchaser. The five works presented here showcase the works of Quebecois acousmatic composer Robert Normandeau produced between 1990 and 1993, and includes two prize-winning entries in the Noroit-Léonce Petitot International Competition. "Éclats de voix" ("Bursts of Voices", 1991) was winner of 1st Prize for Jury as well as Public's Prize at Noroit 91. The work is constructed entirely from computer-processed samples of the voice of an 11-year old-although this source is, in fact, hardly ever obvious. The exquisite sonorities (representing five childhood 'states') that Normandeau wrests from his source are entirely captivating (like most of his work) and the piece is an absolute delight from start to finish. The disc's opening work, "Bédé" (1990) is an electroacoustic miniature, of just 3 minutes duration, derived from the same source material but making an interesting contrast with "Éclats de voix". The source sounds in "Bédé" are more discernible for what they are; the piece is also rather darker and gives a somewhat more disturbing view of childhood than that presented in the later work.The third work on the disc, "Spleen" (1993) continues the same theme. Awarded the Public's Prize at Noroit 93, this piece is constructed entirely from processed vocal samples of the voices of four 16-year old adolescents. Its restless pulsing rhythms and sudden mood-swings portray only too well most people's experience of that time of life and in a way that is impossible to draw away from! Fabulous stuff!"Tropes" (1991) presents a different face to Normandeau's work. The starting point for this piece is the chamber music of Mozart. More specifically, recordings of Mozart's music, here computer-manipulated out of all recognition-not just as originating from Mozart, but even, in fact, as being instrumental music at all-except for a very few short passages. The result is an entirely individual - almost deconstructivist - view of the relevance of Mozart to the modern musician as well as the contribution that he made to the development of western art music. In this work, Normandeau demonstrates his complete mastery of his own chosen art, demonstrating a genius not far short of that of the great master, himself! The final work on this compilation, "Tangram" (1992) is a purely acousmatic composition. Part of Normandeau's 'Cinema for the Ears' oeuvre, this 27-minute epic takes the listener on an electroacoustic journey through the seasons, "highlighting the elements and materials associated with each." The work is inspired by the Chinese puzzle from which it derives its name and shows a sonic equivalence to it, utilising simple sound elements to form complex structures, which become recognisable through their very figurative or associative natures. Here we have another entirely captivating auditory experience. Throughout, abstract or barely recognisable sound materials are blended perfectly with more recognisable, richly associative material: the calling of loons, crackling of flames, pulled zippers or the unmistakable sound of freight-train air-horns echoing through the Rocky Mountains above Banff-to name just a few of the more obvious environmental sounds from which this work is built. This is definitely a work to play and to savour over and over.Like most of Normandeau's music, this disc deserves to be in the collection of every lover of serious, contemporary music. If you already have it and are looking for more, the release "Lieux inouïs" from the same company contains almost all of this composer's works which pre-date the music here. His latest works are featured in DiM's CD release "Figures". Both are every bit as good as this."