Wissem, Jozef van

It Is All That Is Made

Label: Important Records Country: USA

"It Is All That Is Made consists of six trance inducing circular pieces composed for 10 course renaissance - and 13 course baroque lute. The titles of the pieces and the storyline critically juxtapose the first chapter of Genesis with more contemporary narratives. This evokes a parallel to the mixing of idiomatic classical lute material of the 17th century with modern folk and avantgarde music. The pieces are played forward, then backward, creating music that is potentially without beginning or end. It Is All That Is Made consists of recurring minimal themes emphasizing the listening experience. The photograph on the front cover was taken during a Portuguese festival last summer outside on the museum steps performing for a large crowd without any amplification or artificial light in true cinematic dogma style.

Composer-lute player Jozef Van Wissem is renowned for his unusual approach of the Renaissance and Baroque lute, probably the most unlikely instruments in the world of contemporary music. He cuts and pastes classical pieces, reverses melodies, adds electronics and processed field recordings made in airport lounges and train stations. The unusual wedlock of composition and improvisation creates an unheard amalgam of contemporary folk and early music Van Wissem has accomplished the strange feat of bridging the idiom of seventeenth century lute literature and twenty-first century contemporary music Although he uses subtle electronic sound manipulation, he has largely stayed faithful to the particular timbre, resonance and playing technique of the lute. Van Wissem first came to be noticed a few years ago because of his radical conceptual approach to Renaissance lute music: He deconstructed existing compositions, for instance by playing them backwards. He also composed his own pieces for lute, using palindromes and mirrored structures. His music therefore does not have a traditional linear progression, nor leads to a climax, it rather stays on the same level of intensity. His music is not so much demands concentrated listening, as it will bring the listener in a state of concentrated listening. He performs extensively around the world. He also works with the likes of Maurizio Bianchi, James Blackshaw and Tetuzi Akiyama. With Blackshaw he formed the duo " Brethren of the Free Spirit' Van Wissem lectures as well on composing for and improvising on the lute."-Important Records