“Companion” is the 4th solo album of Quentin Sirjacq in collaboration with Japanese label Schole. It follows « Far islands and Near Places » released in 2016 (Schole / Karaoke Kalk), where appeared guests instruments like marimbas, vibraphone, glockenspiel and synthesizers along with the piano.
1st stunning video for the track “Variations” directed by Shin Kikuchi: https://youtu.be/OW3KXRXSigI
In this new set of songs the melodic touch and the delicate harmonies from the piano still radiate in parts but the way orchestrations and musical structures are transforming themselves during the songs is a bright new element in Sirjacq’s music. Every track is a sort of journey starting in one place and finishing in another, slowly moving and unfolding through a mix of influences layering one another. Gamelan, African polyrhythm, modern classical, free jazz, electronic music or film music all collide here. Constructed on many varied layers of musical thinking and techniques, this album is yet very unique, accessible and beautiful.
For this new work Sirjacq has called some of the finest musicians of the french scene such as Julien Loutelier, Vincent Taurelle, Arnaud Lassus and Steve Argüelles.
Pianist, composer, arranger, multi-instrumentist, Quentin Sirjacq was born in Paris in 1978 and studied the piano and music composition at Mills College (California) and Royal Conservatory in The Hague (Netherlands). His eclectic musical interests keep him active as an improviser, a new music performer, and a composer of music for film, theater and radio. While at Mills, he has performed the music of F. Rzewski, J. Tenney and F. Frith, among others, and premiered a new work by José Maceda with virtuoso percussionist William Winant. This experience has allowed him to expand his relationship with the piano and his approach of music between traditions and experimentation.
He released 3 previous solo albums on Japanese label Schole (la Chambre Claire, Piano Memories and Far Islands & Near Places), and took part in various recordings in the last decade, performing and arranging with English musicians Dakota Suite or renowned Fred Frith, Joëlle Léandre, Meredith Monk, Shazad Ismaily, William Winant…releasing on labels such as Brocoli or Glitterhouse.
He also works energetically as a composer for films (Je vais mieux by Jean-Pierre Améris produced by Luc Besson / Europacorp, Made in China by Julien Abraham, Les beaux jours by Marion Vernoux), Theatre (collaborations with Nancy Huston, Rebecca Zlotowski, Christian Schiaretti), Radio dramas (France Culture), Dancing (Daniel Larrieu’s last Litteral) and modern art (Nicolas Darrot…). He released in 2017 a book & disc with writer Nancy Huston, “Anima Läique” (Actes Sud).
He regularly plays live in Europe alone or with Dakota Suite (venues like Union Chapel, Palak Akropolis and in prestigious museums such as Fondation Cartier, Palais de Tokyo…) and Japan (3 sold out tours).
In Sirjacq’s music, the emotional touch of the piano, merged with the elements of French Impressionism and its classical roots, combines wonderfully with elements influenced by contemporary music, American minimalism, jazz and electronic music.
Quentin Sirjacq – piano, synthesizers, harmonium (track 7), fender rhodes (track 3) Julien Loutelier – drums (tracks 2-3-7-8), drum machine (track 1)
Arnaud Lassus – marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel (tracks 1-2-3-5-6) Steve Argüelles – drums (track 8), conga (track 1)
Vincent Taurelle – additional synthesizers (tracks 1-2-7)
Special guest
Abel Sirjacq – whistling (track 6)
All music composed by Quentin Sirjacq
Recorded by Steve Arguelles at Plushspace and by Vincent Taurelle at studio La Marquise Mixed & Produced by Hiroshi Iguchi, Vincent Taurelle and Quentin Sirjacq Mastered by Hiroshi Iguchi
Epicerie Libre – Matthieu Burel & Romain Méril
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