Metaphon has released a new album from Karl Van Welden and Frederik Croene entitled MARS II. The album features compositions by Croene, Van Welden, and Vincent Malstaf. The pieces were performed on an automated piano by Croene. The description for the album is as follows:
In MARS II Karl Van Welden explores the impact of volcanic ash on the performance of pianist Frederik Croene and the sound he produces, playing on an automated piano. MARS II examines a moment of catastrophe and the pianist’s reactions to drastic changes in his environment. At the outset, volcanic ash particles fall gently and harmlessly. After a while, the amount of dark volcanic ash raining down on the musician and his instrument increases exponentially, slowly but surely transforming the sound and the image. An exploration of the contrasting effects between a moment of bliss, the strike of disaster, and its aftermath.
You can purchase the album and find more information about it at the Metaphon site here. The album is limited to 300 copies, 10 of which are a special edition that features three signed and numbered prints. You can watch a short video featuring a performance from MARS II below.
