« Companion » is the 4th solo album from Quentin Sirjacq in collaboration with Japanese label Schole. It follows « Far islands and Near Places » released in 2016, where appeared guests instruments like marimbas, vibraphone, glockenspiel and synthesizers along with the piano.
In this new set of songs the melodic touch and the delicate harmonies from the piano still radiate in parts but the way orchestrations and musical structures are transforming themselves during the songs is a bright new element in Sirjacq’s music.
Every track is a sort of journey starting in one place and finishing in another, slowly moving and unfolding through a mix of influences layering one another.
Gamelan, African polyrhythm, neo-classical, free jazz, electronic music or film music all collide here.
Constructed on many varied layers of musical thinking and techniques, this album is yet very unique, accessible and beautiful.
For this new work Sirjacq has called some of the finest musicians of the french scene such as Julien Loutelier, Vincent Taurelle, Arnaud Lassus and Steve Argüelles.
BIO
Since the release of the first album “La Chambre Claire” in 2010, Quentin Sirjacq has regularly toured Japan as solo pianist, and has made two other solo albums (Piano Memories and Far Islands & Near Places). In addition, he works energetically as a composer for Theater plays, dance choreographies, radio plays and most notably for films.
In Sirjacq’s music, the emotional touch of the piano, merged with the elements of French Impressionism and its classical roots, combines wonderfully with elements influenced by contemporary music, American minimalism, jazz and electronic music. .
For several years he has been a traveling companion and regular collaborator of Chris Hooson (Dakota Suite), he also played with Meredith Monk, Fred Frith, Shazad Ismaily, William Winant ….
1 Variations
2 Carol
3 Dance
4 Will you be there
5 Organum
6 Companion
7 Harmonium
8 Choral
Quentin Sirjacq – piano, synthesizers, harmonium (track 7), fender rhodes (track 3)
Julien Loutelier – drums (tracks 2-3-7-8), drum machine (track 1)
Arnaud Lassus – marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel (tracks 1-2-3-5-6)
Steve Argüelles – drums (track 8), conga (track 1)
Vincent Taurelle – additional synthesizers (tracks 1-2-7)
Special guest Abel Sirjacq – whistling (track 6)
All music composed by Quentin Sirjacq
Recorded by Steve Arguelles at Plushspace and by Vincent Taurelle at studio La Marquise
Mixed & Produced by Hiroshi Iguchi, Vincent Taurelle and Quentin Sirjacq
Mastered by Hiroshi Iguchi
A&R – Akira Kosemura
Artwork, Design and Art direction – Shin Kikuchi
Sales promotion – Kazumitsu Yoshida, Romain Meril and Matthieu Burel
Production management – SCHOLE INC.
schole –
Here’s good feature for the video of ‘Variations’ on Score A/V
http://www.scoreav.com/quentin-sirjacq-passe-la-quatrieme-et-en-devoile-les-variations/
schole –
Music video of ‘Variations’ is now featured on the homepage of Son of marketing (Italian London based website):
https://sonofmarketing.com/2019/01/23/video-quentin-sirjacq-variations/
schole –
“Variations” is video of the week on Music won’t save you webzine:
https://musicwontsaveyou.com/2019/01/21/video-of-the-week-quentin-sirjacq-variations/
schole –
French review here on the e-zine W-Fenec (page 75): http://upload.w-fenec.org/mag/W-Fenec_Mag_36.pdf
schole –
New good review here on De Subjectivisten (Holland):
https://subjectivisten.nl/het-schaduwkabinet-week-08-2019/
schole –
The premiere of “Organum” is now online on the Orb Mag
Web: https://www.orbmag.com/music/premiere/quentin-sirjacq-organum/
schole –
Sirjacq’s breathtaking new album arrives today — a harmonic blend of gamelan, african polyrhythm, neo-classical, free jazz, electronic & film music.
Full Review of this masterpiece: https://ambianceglitters.com/2019/02/22/quentin-sirjacq-companion-2019-schole-records-sch057/?fbclid=IwAR1VA4jqXRodrAbgQNA3Klm9xdPhAwpbEUht44YgwCxzio06QRCxDnVZ2UY
schole –
Quentin Sirjacq ne déçoit jamais et ce “Companion” mélodique et expérimental sorti chez Schole Records n’est pas loin de constituer le sommet de la brillante discographie de l’aventureux pianiste.
http://www.indierockmag.com/article32263.html?fbclid=IwAR2q0yOz_H-LHBeyKIW5IYLo6472mrp8svvq0gY9o_6tChGmBjfcYfB1U08
schole –
France’s Quentin Sirjacq provides the delicate yet defining thread that stitches the seemingly disparate, inventively arranged electronic, jazz, classical, cinematic & even Afro patches into a warm and welcoming listen for Japan’s Schole Records.
-The Slow Music Movement
schole –
Really nice review here in German on Gezeitenstrom:
https://gezeitenstrom.weebly.com/reviews/quentin-sirjacq-companion-2019
schole –
Nice review of companion of italian rockerilla magazine,
also available online on Music won’t save you (same review)
https://musicwontsaveyou.com/2019/03/12/quentin-sirjacq-companion/
schole –
good review on Totoromoon (France)
https://totoromoon.wordpress.com/2019/03/13/quentin-sirjacq-companion/
schole –
great review on Musiczine (NL/BE)
http://www.musiczine.net/nl/cd-reviews/item/73973-companion
schole –
Wonderful review of “Companion” on ici musique, the musical site of Radio Canada:
https://www.icimusique.ca/albumsenecoute/1062/quentin-sirjacq-companion
schole –
very nice review on French Etherreal
http://www.etherreal.com/spip.php?article5995
schole –
intoxicate vol.139 （2019.4.20 発行）
フランス印象派とクラシックをルーツに持つ確かな演奏技術と、現代音楽やライヒなどのミニマル〜ジャズや民族音楽まで視野にいれた唯一無二の感性が本作の存在を特別なものへと昇華しており、様々な音楽的発想やテクニックで構成された非常にバリエーションに富んだ作品に仕上がっている。シンプルかつ深淵で繊細な音像はこの人ならでは。
（タワーレコード新宿店 池田敏弘）