Lysight, Michel - Chronographie IX
The music of Michel Lysight is as intricate as it is uplifting. Born in 1958, the Belgian composer studied at the Schaerbeek Academy and the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles winning numerous prizes in various fields of music. Lysight's identity as a musician encompasses many areas: composer, conductor, pianist, bassoonist, academic and chamber musician. Perhaps it is this diversity that makes his work so cohesive and well constructed. Exhibiting minimalist tendencies, Lysight belongs to the 'New Consonance' composers' collective which advocates the primacy of communication in music, over and above intellectual compositional systems.
The “Chronographie” series of pieces are written for different instruments and ensembles but are all based on the same five note material which is manifested in some form in each Chronagraphie. The term 'Chronographie' was invented by the composer and literally means “drawing of the time”. The earlier pieces were Lysight's first forays into minimalism and all have very strong rhythmic conception. Although this piece is predominantly in common time, the sense of momentum and metrical impetus has to be very strong to propel the piece forwards. In one sense Chronographie IX is quite a hedonistic piece of music, the sweeping melodic contours often evoke a sense of euphoria, even ecstasy. This coupled with the dramatic changes in dynamic demanded by Lysight's score actually make this a rather lyrical work. The subtleties of the phrasing speak to us with a dramatic poignancy.
The “Chronographie” series of pieces are written for different instruments and ensembles but are all based on the same five note material which is manifested in some form in each Chronagraphie. The term 'Chronographie' was invented by the composer and literally means “drawing of the time”. The earlier pieces were Lysight's first forays into minimalism and all have very strong rhythmic conception. Although this piece is predominantly in common time, the sense of momentum and metrical impetus has to be very strong to propel the piece forwards. In one sense Chronographie IX is quite a hedonistic piece of music, the sweeping melodic contours often evoke a sense of euphoria, even ecstasy. This coupled with the dramatic changes in dynamic demanded by Lysight's score actually make this a rather lyrical work. The subtleties of the phrasing speak to us with a dramatic poignancy.