Like A Flame

[Frederik Magle]

Here is the second "teaser" I'm uploading from my upcoming CD, recorded on the organ in Jørlunde Church: The title piece of the CD »Like a Flame«

»Like a Flame«, like the majority of music on the CD, is an improvisation, but of course not just any kind of improvisation. Many months of preparations has gone before the recording, and also the years of work with the organ itself. I consider these works as a culmination - so far - of my work with the instrument (for which I've created the tonal design, as you may know), where I become one with it. However, this means »Like a Flame« (as well as »Origin«) is recorded in one take as a live recording, with no post-editing whatsoever, but all improvised parts on the CD will be written down so that they can be published as a score later on.

This excerpt will also be available in a video on Youtube like the clip with »Origin«, but in the meantime you can listen to it by clicking on the following link:

Click here to download »Like a flame« by Frederik Magle
(192 kbps MP3, 4.1 MB, 2:59 min.)

»Faeries, come take me out of this dull world,
For I would ride with you upon the wind,
Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame!«

- William Butler Yeats, "The Land of Heart's Desire"

»Like a Flame« for pipe organ is copyright © Frederik Magle and may not be altered in any way without express permission. »Like a flame« may not be redistributed without express permission, with the exception that you are allowed to link freely to this page. You are not allowed to link directly to the MP3 file (hotlinking) without clearly stating the copyright and linking to this site as well. The music has been made available for free download on this site with the consent of the copyright holders and in accordance with Danish and international copyright law.
​

 

[jhnbrbr]

That is so brilliant at every level - the clarity and distinctiveness of the different colours of the organ, the imaginativeness of the composition. I loved the way the music evolved and especially the part towards the end of the clip, where it becomes even more like a wild dance. Please tease us some more, Frederik!

 

[wljmrbill]

interesting. I too like the last of the clip where it sounds like the wind blowing.. My mind could never hear this type of music to even try in to improvise this style.. Thanks for posting...

 

[Frederik Magle]

Thanks, John and Bill!

I gave my all - and then some (and then then some) - at the recording sessions, and I do feel I succeeded in creating something good (after worth I was so physically and mentally exhausted that it took me almost three weeks to fully recover my energy), so I'm very very happy you like what you hear!

I'm glad you like the colors of the organ, John, as well as the progression of the composition, and I will indeed post more teasers over the coming months (the CD is expected be released in early fall)

Bill, you are very welcome. Yes the style is different. There are in fact a few even more atonal works on the CD, but then also some very melodic pieces creating balance. It will span wide but still feel like a whole.

Btw, all the improvised parts of the album will be written down so that they can be published and performed again later on.

Best regards,
Frederik

 

[Frederik Magle]

Btw, as a note for those with interest in Hi-Fi sound and/or recording, I can tell you that this recording was done with one pair of microphones; the DPA 4040 high voltage (130V) mics, with calibrated tube pre-amps, directly connected to a 24bit A/D converter and then onto hard disk. The sound engineer was Hans Nielsen, who has 30+ years of experience in the field.

The 4040 mics are extremely rare (only 100 was made!) but are amongst the best mics ever constructed (also reflected in their price ), possibly the best mics for this particular kind of recording. So it's an "audiophile" quality recording for those interested in Hi-Fi. Of course the MP3 cannot fully reflect that, but the CD will.