Phillip Sollmann
Monophonie
Format: 2xLP / CD / Digital
Cat no: A-TON LP10/CD10
Release date: May 15, 2020
GET
Following 2019’s New Atlantis LP under his experimental techno alias Efdemin, Phillip Sollmann’s Monophonie is a project dedicated to uniting different strands of utopian music. His approach: combining and recontextualizing rare historical instruments of sonic research of Hermann von Helmholtz (19th century) with the self-designed, microtonal instruments of Harry Partch and metal sound sculptures of Harry Bertoia.
The result is a psychedelic investigation into just intonation – alternative tuning systems that create unique sets of harmonics not found in conventional scales. Monophonie recasts these sounds into new rhythmic environments where epic kosmische, polyrhythms, acoustic techno and microtonal glow are interwoven into a rare music.
Photo: Monophonie Live Ruhrtriennale 2017 © Volker Beushausen
Over nine tracks, the album explores multiple forms of minimalism, from unwavering repetition to paired-down chords and sparse sonic environments. But it also seeks to expand the sound spectrum of Partch’s custom built organs and melodic percussion instruments as well as Bertoia’s sonambient singing metal rods into an atmospheric otherworldliness.
Monophonie was first composed in 2016 and premiered at Berlin’s Volksbühne theatre in 2017, before it went on to the renowned Ruhrtriennale and Kampnagel in Hamburg. It was performed by one of Germany’s premier neue musik collectives Ensemble Musikfabrik together with Sollmann himself on von Helmholtz’s original double siren, with set design by Michael Kleine and wardrobe by Peter Kisur of Honeysuckle Company.
Photo: © Lendita Kashtanjeva
Concept, Composition and Mixing: Phillip Sollmann
Sound Recording: Kassian Troyer (studio), Paul Jeukendrup (live) Sample-Mapping: Joachim Schütz
Musical Score Notation: Stefan Keller
Mastering: Kassian Troyer
Set and Light Design: Michael Kleine
Costume Design: Peter Kisur
Production and Management: Martin Hossbach, Lukas Hellermann Director Ensemble Musikfabrik: Thomas Fichter
Stage Management: Bernd Layendecker
All replicas of Harry Partch instruments used in this recording were built by Thomas Meixner for Ensemble Musikfabrik
Performers
Helen Bledsoe: Cloud Chamber Bowls
Daniel Eichholz: Spoils of War, Diamond Marimba, Percussion
Johannes Fischer: Boo, Diamond Marimba, Percussion
Benjamin Kobler: Gourd Tree, Chromelodeon I&II, Marimba Eroica
Ulrich Löffler: Chromelodeon I&II
Thomas Meixner: Boo, Diamond Marimba, Percussion
Melvyn Poore: Adapted Guitar, Sound Effects, Diverse Instruments
Axel Porath: Surrogate Kithara, Chromelodeon, Woodblock, Motor
Carl Rosman: Bass Marimba, Castor&Pollux, Marimba Eroica
Dirk Rothbrust: Diamond Marimba, Marimba Eroica, Spoils of War, Percussion Rie Watanabe: Boo, Diamond Marimba
Hannah Weirich: Adapted Viola, Harmonic Canon, Surrogate Kithara
Hermann von Helmholtz’s double-siren used with kind permission of the Institute of Vegetative Physiology, Berlin
Sonambient© Sculptures by Val Bertoia used with kind permission of Bertoia Studio, Bally, PA
Composed and mixed by Phillip Sollmann at the Meadow, Berlin 2016-2019.
Recorded, mastered and cut by Kassian Troyer, DM.
Artwork: Detail of Monophonie stage design by Michael Kleine | Yasmina Haddad [Photography] | Yusuf Etiman [Layout]
Phillip Sollmann | Monophonie
GET | Tracklisting 2xLP*:
A1. Chance
A2. Rara
A3. Micro
B. Motor
C1. Stutter
C2. Tape
C3. Plain
D1. U / O
D2. Mono
*12" vinyl 2xLP inside gatefold sleeve, includes download code
Phillip Sollmann | Monophonie
GET | Tracklisting CD* / Digital:
1. Chance
2. Rara
3. Micro
4. Motor
5. Stutter
6. Tape
7. Plain
8. U / O
9. Mono
* digipak
Phillip Sollmann
Monophonie
Format: 2xLP / CD / Digital
Cat no: A-TON LP10/CD10
Release date: May 15, 2020
GET
Following 2019’s New Atlantis LP under his experimental techno alias Efdemin, Phillip Sollmann’s Monophonie is a project dedicated to uniting different strands of utopian music. His approach: combining and recontextualizing rare historical instruments of sonic research of Hermann von Helmholtz (19th century) with the self-designed, microtonal instruments of Harry Partch and metal sound sculptures of Harry Bertoia.
The result is a psychedelic investigation into just intonation – alternative tuning systems that create unique sets of harmonics not found in conventional scales. Monophonie recasts these sounds into new rhythmic environments where epic kosmische, polyrhythms, acoustic techno and microtonal glow are interwoven into a rare music.
Photo: Monophonie Live Ruhrtriennale 2017 © Volker Beushausen
Over nine tracks, the album explores multiple forms of minimalism, from unwavering repetition to paired-down chords and sparse sonic environments. But it also seeks to expand the sound spectrum of Partch’s custom built organs and melodic percussion instruments as well as Bertoia’s sonambient singing metal rods into an atmospheric otherworldliness.
Monophonie was first composed in 2016 and premiered at Berlin’s Volksbühne theatre in 2017, before it went on to the renowned Ruhrtriennale and Kampnagel in Hamburg. It was performed by one of Germany’s premier neue musik collectives Ensemble Musikfabrik together with Sollmann himself on von Helmholtz’s original double siren, with set design by Michael Kleine and wardrobe by Peter Kisur of Honeysuckle Company.
Photo: © Lendita Kashtanjeva
Composed and mixed by Phillip Sollmann at the Meadow, Berlin 2016-2019.
Recorded, mastered and cut by Kassian Troyer, DM.
Artwork: Detail of Monophonie stage design by Michael Kleine | Yasmina Haddad [Photography] | Yusuf Etiman [Layout]
Phillip Sollmann | Monophonie
GET | Tracklisting 2xLP*:
A1. Chance
A2. Rara
A3. Micro
B. Motor
C1. Stutter
C2. Tape
C3. Plain
D1. U / O
D2. Mono
*12" vinyl 2xLP inside gatefold sleeve, includes download code
Phillip Sollmann | Monophonie
GET | Tracklisting CD* / Digital:
1. Chance
2. Rara
3. Micro
4. Motor
5. Stutter
6. Tape
7. Plain
8. U / O
9. Mono
* digipak
