Cédric Theys: Légèreté De L'Être

Cédric Theys is a touch guitarist, composer and producer. Since taking up the touch guitar, much of his recorded output has taken the form of experimental music such as soundscapes and instant compositions. He has had several collaborations, including a regular one with his brother, drummer Alban Theys. But this album includes no touch guitar playing, focusing entirely on his compositions. Performed by the Colorado Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Thomas A. Blomster, the scoring is centered around mallet percussion instruments (along with keyboards, winds and vocals).

The album title Légèreté De L'Être (Lightness of Being) refers to a lightness "like the egret taking flight on the cover of the album, free, for a moment, of worries and anxiety." The pieces took a few years to write, but they were completed during the Covid pandemic. "Esprit Dans Une Broderie De Nuages" opens the set with gently undulating marimba, punctuated by piano accents. A glockenspiel adds a bright upper voice and, before the repeated patterns can become monotonous, they shift into something new. It is a sound reminiscent of Steve Reich's work and, like Reich, Theys is careful to use just enough repetition to achieve a hypnotic effect, but without it overstaying its welcome.

"Pensive Mind" features vibraphone and piano to the gentle effect the title implies. It is somewhat reminiscent of the duets of vibraphonist Gary Burton and pianist Chick Corea, but then the sound shifts with the addition of glockenspiel and bass clarinet. "Le Poids De L'Anima" returns to mesmerizing, shifting, repeated patterns, "Planant Désir" introduces the plaintive sound of the oboe, while "Machine Pensante" adds soprano voice to the mix (a familiar sound in both Philip Glass and Reich's music). "Forming Perception" ends the album with gently rocking interlocking rhythm patterns, a soothing conclusion to an ambitious program. Wonderful playing by the Colorado Chamber Orchestra. leaves one looking forward to hearing more from them, and further Theys compositions.