albums : janek schaefer

JANEK SCHAEFER: migration
[Bleep 31]

'Migration' is the new studio album by one of the most individual composers working in the field of sound art.
A stunning soundtrack to a site specific dance that premiered in a space opposite Grand Central Station in spring 2005. Choreographer Noemie Lafrance positioned dancers on window ledges high above the audience inside the Whitney Gallery sculpture court for her dance titled 'Migrations'. The dancers were attached by bungee cord so that they could lean forward into open air and defy gravity - hovering above the audience. Using this context, the music alludes to the world above us, inspired by the migrating birds that stop in Janek's new garden by the Thames. The source material is basically edited and multiplied field recordings from a sequence of countries and continents that janek has visited over the years. Unlike so
many soundtrack CD's, Migration was written to be heard as a complete album experience. Like the colourful parakeets in Janek's trees you will certainly want to come back to this experience again and again.



 		 
how to order
press review (pdf)  
   


tracks
mp3
   
1) to Nairobi to Manaus to Walton
2) to Oval to Cologne
3) to Lourdes to Madrid
4) to New York to Eugenie to Perth
sample

 
 






The first half of the journey unwinds slowly and calmly, drifting through night trees and ethereal spaces until radio waves bounce off the stratosphere at first light in the heart of the Amazon. During the second half, sparkling sequences glitter in the sunshine and sounds circle overhead. Dense organ drones from Lourdes cathedral land as embers fly into the sky revealing hovering melodies. The tension unfolds into a progressively intense climax as we depart into the blinding white light of day.

"A delightful and cathartic experience for the discerning listener. One of Janek's most engaging and accessible albums." [Terramotto, New York.]

Janek has released albums with Fat Cat, Asphodel, Staalplaat, Sirr, Mutek, Rhiz, DSP, [K-raa-K]3, Snail Article,
Audiosphere, Alluvial, and audiOh! Recordings. This is his debut CD for Bip_Hop.

Migration was commissioned by Noemie Lafrance for the Whitney Museum of American Art in association with the Liz
Gerring Dance Company. Part of the performance series 'Resonant Space'. The World Premier was on the 4th May.

Composed, produced, designed and photographed by Janek at the audiOh! Room in London.


www.audiOh.com
www.sensproduction.com