stephan mathieu - coda (for wk)

The new CD-EP (clocking in at 20 minutes exactly) from Stephan Mathieu is a coda to A Static Place (2011, 12k), created with his highly focused setup of two mechanical-acoustic gramophones and computer. Coda (For WK) is dedicated to the legendary “quiet” pianist Wilhelm Kempff, whose 1927 recordings of Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 26 Les Adieux from a double 12” 78RPM set on Brunswick were used as input for an autogenerative process. Mathieu’s process emphasizes the archaic beauty and texture of this early media while using the original tones for the body of this rich extended work that is both hypnotic and grainy; a journey into the essence of sound that can be appreciated on many levels.

Mathieu has made this gramophone and computer setup a constant factor for his signature process of late and the work he produces becomes more deep and personalized with each release. The echoes of the past can be heard in these ghostly compositions and Mathieu’s love for not only the process but the original music is clearly seen in his passion for the work.

Coda (For WK) was first released by Minority Records on the vinyl version of A Static Place in an edition of 155 copies. 12k is presenting it here on CD, packaged in a sleeve that echoes the designs of the era that gave birth to this music.