: A solemn set that includes "Serpentine" and "Vertex," where the theremin’s silence is used as effectively as its sound to convey a sense of powerlessness.
Canadian composer Aleks Schürmer crafts a narrative that contrasts the "goofiness" or whimsicality of the theremin against a "grim" and grounded piano performance. His compositions on the album are described as "harmonically challenging" yet strangely "comfortable," blending 18th-century forms with post-20th-century tonalism. The work is a reflection on the "imagined utopic future" people envisioned a century ago versus the "dystopic reality" we occupy today. 3. Key Tracks and Themes : A solemn set that includes "Serpentine" and
At the heart of the album is Grégoire Blanc’s mastery of the theremin—a "no-contact" electromagnetic instrument. Blanc, a French virtuoso who helped Moog Music develop the Claravox Centennial theremin, uses the instrument's unique timbre to bridge the gap between human vocalization and electronic synthesis. In tracks like "Ils se sont trouvés sur Tinder," he pushes the instrument's range from "disturbing gravely textures" resembling a contrabassoon to sharp, violin-like highs. 2. Compositional Vision of Aleks Schürmer The work is a reflection on the "imagined
The collaboration between Grégoire Blanc and Aleks Schürmer represents a rare intersection of early 20th-century technological optimism and 21st-century modernism. Released on the label, this album serves as a landmark "recital" for the theremin, an instrument often relegated to science-fiction sound effects but here treated with rigorous classical legitimacy. 1. The Paradox of the Theremin Blanc, a French virtuoso who helped Moog Music
Below is an essay-style overview of this unique musical project.
By pairing the ethereal, often misunderstood voice of the theremin with the foundational weight of the piano, Blanc and Schürmer have created more than just a classical recital. À ses derniers pas, entrant dans la boue is a sonic meditation on the passage of time, the failure of technological utopias, and the persistent human need for expression amidst global chaos.