Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Cédric Theys: Légèreté De L'?tre

Cédric Theys: Légèreté De L'?tre

By Mark Sullivan
October 25, 2022
View read count

Cédric Theys

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">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'?tre (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

composer / conductor
b.1936

" data-original-title="" title="">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

vibraphone
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Gary Burton and pianist

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">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

composer / conductor
b.1937

" data-original-title="" title="">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.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Esprit Dans Une Broderie De Nuages; Light Being; Pensive Mind; Envol; Le Poids De L'Anima; Planant Désir; Heavy Light; Gliding Through Clouds; Vol; Machine Pensante; Forming Perception.

Personnel

Cédric Theys

guitar, electric

Additional Instrumentation

Colorado Chamber Orchestra, Thomas A. Blomster, Music Director. Soprano & celesta: Cristin Colvin; Piano: Deborah Schmit-Lobis; Oboe: Ian Wisekal; Clarinet & bass clarinet: Mary Jungerman; Marimbas, vibraphones & glockenspiels: Peter Cooper, Carl Dixon, Mark Foster, Robert Jurkscheit, Don Roberts; Percussion overdubs: Thomas A. Blomster.

Album information

Title: Légèreté De L'?tre | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Mad Ducks Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Two from Die Hochstapler
< Previous

Istanbul Sessions At JAZZMI 2022
Next >

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.