Music for theatre, performances, installations, and videos 1983-1996, composed and played by:
Eirik Lie
(pronounced "A-rick Lee")
Visuell Musikk info
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Visuell Musikk VM-9601
Supported by Norsk Kassettavgiftsfond
Released June 1996
"12 Bilder" is the first release from Visuell Musikk, a small, independent label set up for the distribution of non-commercial, instrumental music.
Eirik Lie has worked with music in visual contexts for many years. He has also played in rock, blues, and jazz bands. His main instrument is the guitar, but after the MIDI revolution in the mid-eighties he found it quite useful playing keyboards too. Among his main influences are such diverse artists as: Brian Eno, J.S.Bach, Erik Satie, Hank Marvin, Laurie Anderson, Nina Simone, as well as all the great black blues guitar players like Muddy Waters, B.B.King, Robert Johnson, etc.
For a more complete survey of his musical background, go to his CV page, or his band page.
A new CD is in the works, and will be released in 2005.
Some tasters from the album:
(The sound quality of these 8-bit mono 11k samples is of course inferior to the final CD)
One track, "112 Par Sko", was selected by the American Composers Forum to be included on their annual "Sonic Circuits V" compilation CD, to be released in October 1997. This CD, featuring works by composers from USA, France, Canada, England, and Norway, forms the basis of 15-20 festivals and other live events across the USA and other countries, which incorporate works for tape alone with live and video presentations. The CD is also extensively promoted to radio stations around the world to encourage greater airplay for the electro-acoustic genre. It is also available commercially on the ACF innova label (currently distributed in the USA, Canada and France). More info about the ACF can be found at www.composersforum.org
These two installations were seen and heard by some 35000 people during the summers 1993-1995
All music was written by Eirik Lie, --- Calculated, eclectic, and darkly ambient... Reminiscent of Eno and Durutti Column, but with more of an edge. The more ominous sound textures like 112 Par Sko, Istapper, Siden Tidenes Morgen, Ravner, and Dystopia are my favorites, but all are unique dream time excursions. I find myself playing it again and again. Definitely a new staple in my collection.---
--- Here is Art... These musical pieces truly stand alone as wonderful ambient "mood" music. Much more focused and mildly disturbing than what I usually call "new age" music, this CD is rightfully categorized as "soundtrack" because of the constant just-below-the-surface implication that there is something else happening in a parallel universe with the music: acting, visual images, communication in a multi-sensory experience. Eirik obviously plumbs the depth of feeling, visualization and art with this excellently produced collection.---
--- Right from the opening bass note and trumpet fanfare of "Hugin and Mugin" there is a clarity in the arrangements and production which is a pleasure to hear.... But it's when Eirik creates just two or three sounds on guitar or ARP Axxe synth (usually with no overdubs), that you hear music you wouldn't like to meet on a moonless night.... Contemporary music doesn't get much darker than this..... And "Istapper" is breathtaking in it's simplicity.... Quite beautiful.... If you're looking for a good album to counter balance the more pop orientated releases of late then this is the one.---
--- Although the album was by its nature not assembled with a single concept or even from a single time, the individual pieces fit well together and the album has the consistency that makes for enjoyable listening as well as the diversity required to maintain interest. Lie uses keyboards, samplers, synthesizers, and electric guitar to create dark-edged, often melancholy vignettes. Most of the compositions lack clear melody, but create atmospheres that convey a sense of private reflection, isolation, and loneliness.... 12 Bilder is distinctive and compelling, and if given sufficient radio exposure should find an enthusiastic audience.---
--- The music varies from delicate ambient pieces reminiscent of Brian Eno's Ambient series, to more up tempo melodic pieces... This is richly textured picture music with impeccable use of atmosphere and melody. Most pieces are gradually evolving compositions with elements of drama and tension to enhance the theatrical atmosphere of the album... It is superb drifting music - wonderful evocative soundscapes using synths, percussion, and guitar to create wonderful aural images. It's a vast spacious aural panorama, featuring a great array of indescribable sounds; rich cosmic, shimmering tones, deep sonic drones and gentle melodic phrases. The effect is a spellbinding music, often evocative of the somber cosmic works of Erik Wollo, Michael Stearns or Vidna Obmana. Unique and fascinating, I highly recommend it.---
--- When you put on this record, you'll enter a strong eclectic, rather dark-shaped world of textures which at first made me think of Eno and Erik Wollo.... Lie plays his synths, samplers, piano and modified e-guitar in a distinct, thorough way, which leads to beautiful textures like in the 2nd part of the first track.... Other great tracks are "112 par Sko", "Siden Tidenes Morgen" and the cinematic, dark-textured "Dystopia".... must be heard several times before you will be able to experience the pure essence of melancholy and beauty within. Not to forget the overall soundquality, which deserves some thumbs up!---
--- ...suggestive visual music, created with mood and finesse. Lie doesn't avoid the sombre, the shadows. Most of the images are relatively dark, but seldom black. At the same time there is depth in the motifs. The listener is faced with a changing process, a journey also comprising bright melodic (almost sweet) areas. In addition there are cheerful parades and humorous sections - as well as warm folk tunes and enthralling pieces of ambient. The mood is significantly changing, the variation is surprisingly rich.---
--- Eirik Lie's guitar playing sounds like electronic lyre-playing by a revived Terje Rypdal, if Rypdal instead of repeating himself had meditated for five years, and then taken a new grip of the world.... When Eirik Lie's music reaches this magical turning point, it compares to nothing else, and concerns everybody.---
--- I also hear a dash of Germans like Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, and Can. In other words: A nice mixture of floating, yet concrete soundscapes, and beautiful, tender instrumental moods.---
--- ...I am not a music journalist, I can only evaluate the listening experience, and it's a pleasure listening to this CD. It both requires and bears repeated listenings. In addition, it invites to reflections about what theatre music really is, what it contributes to the art of theatre, and what the theatre would be if deprived of the music.---
--- Thrilling musical mosaics living their own lives. Forget about putting this into a particular style. It is easier to describe it as music making room for fantasy journeys for the listener. It is airy, dreamlike, and rather enthralling.---
--- A pioneer project from one of Trondheim's most active theatre musicians, who already has got well-deserved attention for his music.---
--- For instance, "Tananarivo? - Atacama!" is a magnificent piece of poetry throbbing in a hypnotic groove... All in all a beautiful collection of minor-key moods.---
--- I am very excited about it. It is a fine collection of music... Thank you for such wonderful music. "12 Bilder" is very nice. Please keep us in mind for your next collection... You know that I really enjoy your music... I don't understand why it isn't way up there in the New Age Voice top 20 lists. I think I finally aired almost every track.... I usually don't play a track more than once, but in the case of "12 Bilder," I think I will make an exception.---
--- Thanks for sending me your CD '12 Bilder'. I received it in yesterday's mail. And I eagerly played it during the night. And, Eirik, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was exciting, fresh and imaginative. Your music will be played on my show on a regular basis.---
--- Each time I listen to 112 Par Sko, my ears pick out different details. It's never the same twice. Emotionally evocative and sensitive to the tragedy it depicts.---
--- Sounds good! Keep up the good work!---
--- Thanks so much for sending me your excellent CD "12 Images". The music was very interesting, and quite varied in its approach. I enjoyed it, and so did my listeners... Please keep me in mind for your future releases.---
--- I enjoyed 12 Bilder. I've used it and will use it again.---
--- Music is really interested; not too smooth, dark and from another side is not too "sweet". I dislike too sweet New Age. You create unique emotional atmosphere and in general it is not boring muzak, it really ART. It was very pleasure to meet with your music and I sincere wish you Flourish and Prosper.---
--- I like it. Keep in touch if you have new releases---
--- The whole CD is quite good but there are a few standout selections that I want to feature more often... we are *finally* playing "112 Par Sko" on our program. Great track...thanks... there are several other very strong pieces... I especially like "Dystopia."---
--- I'll be glad to put a copy of "12 Bilder" in our library for all our programmers to enjoy.---
--- Thanks for allowing us to share it with our listeners!---
---It really is wonderful... It is varied and very creative and quite interesting... You have a wonderful, unique approach. Thanks for your music.---
---I have been enjoying playing from your CD...but I have one little problem...I can't pronounce the titles of the songs :)---
---I think it is really interesting music.---
---We have played it a lot---
--- The music is VERY interesting!---
--- has been compared to Oystein Sevag, which isn't a bad comparison, but I also hear Patrick O'Hearn's big bass-sounds and dreamy production. Maybe Mickey Hart's work with The Beam as well. The CD is full of lovely digital synthesis, exotic percussion and sounds, and some discreet melodies and rhythms. Lovely packaging too. Fans of the above musicians wouldn't be disappointed...[One year later, in an Internet discussion:]
A very few albums are so chock full of ideas and textures that I can listen to them over and over, and never feel like I've explored all they have to offer. What I'm talking about are albums that always seem new, always a little puzzling, always offer something I hadn't noticed before. Are you up for another list?
I offer the following to begin:
---
- Isildurs Bane - The MIND Vol.1
- Dirk Campbell - Music From A Round Tower
- Wendy Carlos - Beauty In The Beast
- Eirik Lie - 12 Bilder
--- I found it a wonderful listening experience, particularly 112 par Sko, Dystopia, and Ravner. Thank you, thank you , thank you for a very special listening experience.---
--- you have all the makings to become the Philip Glass of Norway.---
--- Beautiful, translucent, soaring, and a little bit melancholic. Sounds like the color on the surface of soap bubbles.---
--- I received 12 BILDER on Saturday. Upon my first listening I got goose bumps from head to toe.---
--- The music ranges from new-age to neo-baroque-ish counterpoint to jazz to Fripp-ish electric guitar soundscapes to Eno/Budd-ish ambient to whatever you can imagine. His use of the electric guitar was what impressed me, of course. Highly recommended for those of you who like experimental music that is also very beautiful.---
More excellent Norwegian ambient!... I would heartily recommend this to friends of soft, ambient soundsculptures... In the liner notes Lie name-checks Brian Eno and Erik Satie as sources of inspiration, which is evident in the music. Thus, a thumbs up and a recommendation to get ahold of Eirik's lovely 60-odd minute work.
--- A very strong CD. "12 Bilder" is my favorite CD right now... It sends chills down my spine... Technically very well done... Some of the production work is among the best I've ever heard... Kudos also to the cover art... More CDs coming soon?---
--- You have a very original style...colorful, but not too cluttered, very spacious... descriptive music---
--- I liked what I heard - VERY evocative!---
--- "12 bilder" refuses to leave the cd changer at the cdmuse offices. It is my sad duty to inform you that both you and your music completely rule. :)---
--- It's a fascinating album - lots of different textures and moods, but holding together well as a very distinctive album in its own right. So well done!---
--- Impressive!!---
--- Tatjana Zaitzow is not all alone on stage. The music of Eirik Lie is following her as a shadow, accentuating movements and feelings. Through the combination of sound, light, and movement, "The Puppetmaker's Dream" has become an unusually sensous play, an aesthetical enjoyment of a very rare kind.---
--- Helped by Eirik Lie's hypnotizing music, the puppets almost become live beings. The interaction between the live actor and the "lifeless" puppets creates magic in this performance.--
--- The music is an essential part of "The Puppetmaker's Dream". Eirik Lie wrote the music, while Tatjana Zaitzow wrote the screenplay (and played all the puppets). The music got an especially postive response at the Zagreb Festival. Tatjana says: "I was particularly moved by a blind Yugoslavian girl, who had attended all the performances on the festival. She told me the music was some of the most beautiful she had ever heard. For me, as the puppet player, the music is extremely important. The performance is almost floating along on a magical carpet of sound."---
--- Eirik Lie's lighting design and music is strongly contributing to the "blue" mood in "ERT" ("The Pea"). Lie has written music clinging closely to the action on stage. Discreet, but still 100% present. This is the blues version of the well-known H.C.Andersen tale.---
--- The musician and composer Eirik Lie is a long-time member of Petrusjka Teater. His long collaboration with Tatjana Zaitzow is reaching new heights in this performance. The music and sound effects make a totally organic fusion with the actor and puppets.---
Visuell Musikk
Eirik Lie
Bjornerabben 9
N-0383 Oslo
Norway
Tel: +47 22 50 23 14
Email: eirikli@notam02.no
In the U.S. "12 Bilder" is handled by:
North Pacific Music
PO Box 82627
Portland, OR 97282-0627
tel: 800-757-7384,
This web page was made by eiriklie@online.no Last update: Feb 10th, 2005