Nonclassical presents the debut album by acclaimed composer-pianist Leon Michener aka Klavikon. Indebted both to the American experimental tradition and to the post-war European innovations of Karlheinz Stockhausen and Gyorgy Ligeti, the album comprises a suite of brand new, visceral compositions. ‘Klavikon’ consists of 14 solo pieces performed in real time, with no looping or overdubbing. All sounds are made by the piano, by adding various objects of stone, wood, plastic and metal, and are then amplified. Credit cards provide rasping sub basses, washers hi-hats and rubber wedges kicks. With the use of bolts, screws and assorted electric toys, Klavikon reimagines ‘electronic’ music without the use of conventional processes. From an early age Michener combined a focus on Western classical music with a deep attachment to electronic dance music as it evolved through the 1990s and beyond, with artists such as Autechre, Basic Channel, Jeff Mills, Source Direct, Photek, Bambaataa, Squarepusher and Todd Edwards providing inspiration. It’s this dual mindset that has informed his development of Klavikon.
TRACK LISTING
1. Angelus (7:54)
2. Oram Her Toye (4:46)
3. Aviary (2:26)
4. Biome (5:56)
5. Kontrapunkd (3:38)
6. B.A.C.H. (5:33)
7. Piano Beat #10 (0:26)
8. Dust (3:25)
9. Rorschach (4:46)
10. Rhinelead (4:17)
11. The Nights Music (2:58)
12. Croix (3:12)
13. IronCross (4:14)
14. Wave (3:04)