"C’est en effet dans le creuset que la matière première souffre la Passion ; c’est dans le creuset qu’elle meurt pour ressusciter ensuite, purifiée, spiritualisée, déjà transformée."
FULCANELLI, Le Mystère des Cathédrales
The Crucible Electric Chamber Ensemble came to life as a laboratory to explore composition, arranging and orchestration, free from the dictates of popular taste and fashion. Any and all instruments at their disposal can and will be used. Their music is characterized by unusual time signatures, unorthodox chord changes and sequences, melodies intricate and beautiful. Style is far reaching: medieval and baroque songs follow orchestral chamber works; rock songs merge with minimalist Satie-like guitar duets.
What is not to like?
About the Music
Neiges is a short duet for two guitars written on 26 December 2006. The overall composition came to my hands and to my ears effortlessly. It is a rare State of Grace that was given to me simply for being there and listening.
Sous les Traits d'Agnès Sorel began life as a series of six triads which all shared a common C. This idea was discarded after a few weeks and the idea for the melody came almost immediately after dropping that first draft. The piece evolved gradually over a period of a few days, my imagination filled with the well-known painting of Agnès Sorel pictured as the Virgin with Child. A piece for three-tiered Church Organ.
Aube Fuyant de la Course du Jour was composed in 1986 under the title Masked & Mourning, which I recorded with my then Conceptual-Band SVB FIGVRA D. This is an idealised version for Chamber Ensemble, featuring Harpsichord, Flutes, Cello & French Horn.
The Crucible Electric Chamber Ensemble has put together yet a newer version of this piece, featuring Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Touch Guitar and Percussion.
