‘Passages… à travers le Temps’
Metaphon 024 triple LP set – 2025
-Box edition of 250 copies:
3LP + 8 page booklet in silkscreen printed hardboard linen box + download code.
-Slipcase edition of 250 copies:
3LP + 8 page booklet in offset printed slipcase sleeve.
Release date: May 6, 2025
Available through the La Scie Dorée webshop:
-Luxury BOX set edition here
-Slipcase edition here
Listen on Bandcamp
One of Romania’s most important composers in the last half-century, Octavian Nemescu (1940-2020) is among the few that were not “part of the system”, managing to survive and compose in a world that felt more and more “empty”, fragile, confused and scarce in prophecies. The mystical approach to his art defines Octavian Nemescu as an essentialist who believed in the power of archetypes in which he found inspiration. His pieces always start from an idea that has spiritual, cosmogonic implications and often involves synthesizers, sounds from nature (buzz of bees) and the “ison” (drone). When defining “meta music” or “imaginary music”, Nemescu was an advocate of looking from above, from the top of the mountain. Silence is very important in his work in order to keep the sound flowing and to reflect on the sound from before, as a space, as a pause for thinking. Nemescu put forward another kind of music: a song that has not yet surfaced through human voice, any musical instrument, orchestra or other electro-acoustic means: an intimate, interior, introverted inner sound that focuses on the individual and the imagination. Imaginary music is a reaction, it comes in contrast to the spectacular, it is anti-show. For him, music had a ritualistic function, it served no cultural purpose.
This 3LP set collects eight pieces for variable ensemble, tape and electronics, composed between 1968 and 2015, selected together with Erica Nemescu, who also mastered the tracks. Most tracks have been previously released on different CD’s but never before on vinyl.
All compositions by Octavian Nemescu
A1- Secula-seculorum – 9:56 – (2000)
A2- Parallel Destinies – 14:42 – (2015)
B1- Concentric – 16:17 ( 1969)
C1- Sonatu(h)r – 20:52 – (1986)
D1- A T – 17:15 – (2008)
E1- Ulysse : 26:35 – (1972/1982)
F1- Le Roi va Mourir! – 20:58 – (1968/2005)
A2
Bass Clarinet – Ștefan Voinic
Contrabass Clarinet – Emil Vișenescu
B1
Cello – Dorel Fodoreanu
Clarinet – Florian Popa
Percussion – Nicolae Albulescu
Piano – Paul Rogojină
Viola – Vladimir Meldelshon
Violin – Mircea Opreanu
D1
Saxophone – Daniel Kientzy
Viola – Cornelia Petroiu
E1
Cello – Anca Vartolomei
Clarinet – Emil Vișenescu
Piano – Adriana Maier
Viola – Ladislau Csendes
Violin – Marius Lăcraru
F1
Violin – Ioan Marius Lăcraru
Photo by Christian Nemescu
Production: Timo van Luijk
Mastering: Erica Nemescu
Text: Octavian Nemescu
Graphic design: Meeuw