WHEN SOUND IS VISION

I G O R W A K H E V I T C H

I G O R W A K H E V I T C H

IGOR WAKHEVITCH started his career as a brillant classical pianist and was the pupil of the great french composer Olivier Messiaen at the “Conservatoire National Superieur de Musique et de Danse” in Paris, the most prestigious music school of France.

Born in south of France in Gassin, a small village on the top of  a hill above the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, Igor Wakhevitch is a composer who has worked in many musical directions, always sensitive to new ways of expressing sonic sound constructions. In different contexts, he explored the acousmatic approach of processed sounds but also occasionaly dissipates this compositional form into psych rock aesthetic.

His musical background is heavily influenced by contemporary avant-garde, dodecaphonism and sound experimentations, including electro music.

He notably learned electroacoustic technics with the « Group of Musical Researches » (known as G.R.M. French National Radio ORTF) under the guidance of  the famous french musicologist Pierre Schaeffer, a visionnary of music's future and a kind of "father" of  the concrete music.

His main recordings are considered to have signed with their fingerprint the era of the first explorers of electronic music in the 70’ and are known with their strenght and metaphysical poetry to have influenced many groups and young musicians and a new public in search of new sound unverses.

His long and extensive collaboration with the world of contemporary dance is also recognized by all for his intimate perception of body forms and objects’s motion in spacet-time (the energy of the sound providing the needed information to the body cells of the dancers) ; duration and hypnotic repetitions are one of the main themes of his musical expression.

IGOR WAKHEVITCH’s discography: « Logos » (EMI) and « Nagual » (EMI), « Hathor » (Atlantic Records) « Let’s Start » (EMI) “Dr. Faust” (EMI) “Les Fous d'Or,” (EMI) Salvador Dali’s Opera, “Être Dieu” (Eurostar Schallplatten Germany) – and his latest album “Kshatrya, the Eye of the Bird” (an unreleased work recorded in 1999) recently released by “Transversales Records”, Paris in 2019 – … all of them are milestones of a path crossing a wide inner landscape who reveals pretty excellent spectral forms and modulations which concentrates the listener in seriously profound, immersive mentalscapes.

….. and many other compositions for contemporary dance and choreographers in France and abroad (India and Israel): “Athanor” - ““Arachnea” - “The Girl of Sixteen - “The Winds of Shiva” - “Echo and Narcissus” - “… of Remembrance” (Theatre des Bouffes du Nord , Paris) - “The Golden Light” - “Memoria” - “This-That-the Other” (National Opera of Paris) - the Beginning - the End (National Opera of Paris) - “Aor” - (National Opera of Paris) - “Human Called Being” (Shiraz International Festival - Iran) “Les Fous d’Or” - (Théâtre de la Ville, Paris) “Ergonia” (Festival d’Avignon, Cour d’Honneur du Palais des Papes) - ”Logos” (Festival d’Avignon Opera) “L’Orso e la Luna” (Teatro de la Fenice-Malibran) - “Threads” (RIna Schenfeld - Batsheva Dance Company, Israel, Festival of Israel) - “Echo and Narcissus” (East-West Dance Encounters, Goethe Institute-Mumbai, India)

A few pieces contain rocking, spaced out instrumentations in the genre of cosmic krautrock classics ; closely associated to their performances on stage, Igor Wakhevitch was a great friend of Robert Wyatt and Mick Ratledge, the fantastic musicans of the british "avant-garde" psychedelic rock band, "Soft Machine" ; at the same period, after listening to his first album together in their private house, a warm and fraternal friendship began between Igor and the legendary psychedelic pop-rock band "PINK FLOYD" and often was seen with them backstage and in the greenroom at some of their concerts.

Aged of 24 only, Igor Wakhevitch  was honored to compose the music of SALVADOR DALI’ s opera-poem « ÊTRE DIEU » featuring Salvador Dali in person : the music including the various characters (Salvador Dali in person, etc.) was recorded at EMI Studios in Paris). Igor Wakhevitch is the only composer to have experimented the privilege to work directly during many months in the row in close collaboration with Salvador Dali and in studio as well : a historical testimony about Dali's personal involvement in a piece of music: his own "opera" !  .... 

Igor Wakhevitch's works are largely devoted to dance-theatre, epic electronic pieces blended with symphonic orchestra, choirs, percussions, rock band, abstract elements … not forgetting entities, elemental creatures, telluric beings, invisible creatures, occult powers, inner worlds, straight meditative synthezisers .....

Igor Wakhevitch is also one of the very rare composer to count six of his compositions to have been created at the "National Opera of Paris" : "AOR" (Symphonic orchestra and magnetic tape - Igor Wakhevitch-Jean-Michel Jarre ) ... followed soon after by the trilogy "This-That-the Other" added later on by "the Beginning" ("Human Called Being" ) …  concluded by "the End " : a monumental ballet-theatre performance in five parts, a pentalogy directed and choreographied by the great dancer Carolyn Carlson.  Five years of continuous work between Carolyn Carlson, her dancers and actors of the Dance-Theatre Group of Researches and Igor Wakhevitch composing the music of many of Carolyn Carlsons’s masterpieces.

Igor's music and esthetical approach is introducing the listener slowly by slowly and step by step to the anteroom of a cosmic language unveiling the mysteries of the Counsciousness: kind of reckless explorer of sonic mysterious worlds, pioneer of our days in mutation, visionary of a new era in which Art will be the main expression and voice of the "Gnosis", the Divine Knowledge : Igor Wakhevitch daring angle and perspective over the hidden worlds of sound (Sound Mysterious Science) provides an amazing collection of experimental electronic recordings and many more to come.

In the early period of Igor’ life in India, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Sri Rajiv Gandhi sent an official letter to Igor Wakhevitch, writting the following lines: « Dear Igor, thank you for your music which reflect the deep commitment to peace and human brotherhood to which you are so ardently devoted, your sincerely, Rajiv Gandhi »

Later on Igor Wakhevitch had the rare privilege to meet the Dalaï-Lama in Dharmasala (Himachal-Pradesh, India) at the occasion of a private audience; acting as a producer, Igor Wakhevitch was the first person in Europe to introduce to a large audience the « Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts » in Paris: one month performance at the famous "Theatre du Rond-Point", followed by a tour in south of France and Spain. 

During the past recent years, Igor Wakhevitch (known in the circle of indian classical musicians as « Igor-ji ») has organised in Europe many concerts performed by the greatest maestros of India (particularly in Paris in the most prestigious concert halls and auditoriums ). 

Along the years “Igor-ji” devoted himself to Indian Culture and secular tradition and was praised for his achievements and contributions to promote Indian classical music and Indian culture and large by some of the greatest maestros of India as Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, Pandit Rashid Khan, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, the Gundecha Brothers, S. Shashank, Kaushiki Chakrabarty, Pandit Vijay Ghate,  Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Pandit Shubankar Banerjee, etc.

THE MOTHER "Comme la Rose au milieu des chardons, telle est mon aimée parmi les jeunes filles" (Cantique des Cantiques 2:2)

 "Rare is the great of soul to whom all is the Divine Being"  (Bhagavad-Gita)                                                         

IGOR WAKHEVITCH

Brillant pianiste classique avant de bifurquer sur la composition et devenir l’un des pionniers de sa génération dans le domaine de la musique expérimentale électroacoustique, Igor Wakhévitch a été l’élève de Madame Marguerite Long et de Madame Lucette Descaves en classe de piano au « Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris », études couronnées par un brillant 1er Prix à l’unanimité du jury à l’âge de dix-sept ans seulement. Il travailla également sous la houlette du compositeur Françis Poulenc, de la pianiste Geneviève Joy-Dutilleux, de Madame Monique de la Bruchollerie, Madame Yvonne Loriod, grandes pianistes toutes deux, ainsi que sous  l'oreille attentive et le regard amical du grand chef d'orchestre Igor Markévitch.

Igor fut également l'élève du grand compositeur Olivier Messiaen dans sa fameuse et très courue classe d’Analyse Musicale au Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, y obtenant également un 1er Prix d’Analyse (analyse de la “Turangalila Symphonie” d'Olivier Messiaen) … entre autres récompense : harmonie, musique de chambre, solfège, lecture à vue.

En avance sur son temps, dès le début des années 1970, Igor Wakhévitch fut l’un des premiers compositeurs de sa génération à envisager une synthèse entre la musique symphonique, électronique, et pop rock : il est à l'époque l’ami des premiers groupes pop d’avant-garde britanniques (dit "psychédéliques") qu’il fréquente assidûment, en particulier les « Pink Floyd », ou encore, les « Soft-Machine » (Mick Ratledge, Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, David Allen) ; …  peu de temps après, alors qu'ils sont tous deux étudiants au G.R.M.  (Groupe de Recherches Musicales de la Radio Télévision Française dirigé par le musicologue polytechnicen Pierre Schaeffer), Igor Wakhévitch se lie d’amitié avec Jean-Michel Jarre, ce qui les conduira à co-signer la partition d’« AOR », œuvre pour orchestre symphonique (Igor composant la partie orchestrale de l'œuvre) et bande magnétique (musique électronique de J-M. Jarre) créée au Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris en présence du Ministre de la Culture Jacques Duhamel et sous la direction d’Hugues Gall comme Administrateur.

Igor Wakhévitch enregistre plusieurs albums pour la compagnie discographique EMI et compose de nombreuses partitions pour les créations de la grande chorégraphe américaine Carolyn Carlson au Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris. Très proche ami de Maurice Béjart, l’influence du grand artiste danseur et chorégraphe français sera déterminante dans le parcours et la démarche artistique du jeune compositeur, cheminement imprégné du sens du sacré et d’une grande passion pour la danse sous toutes ses formes et les arts du théâtre. 

En Israël, Igor Wakhévitch compose pour la fameuse chorégraphe et danseuse étoile Rina Schenfeld (Batsheva Dance Company), une commande passée au compositeur par le Festival d’Israël. Pour réaliser ce travail et composer sa musique sur place, il sera invité à séjourner durant plusieurs mois comme artiste invité à la prestigieuse « Mishkenot Sha’ananim Foundation» à Jérusalem.

Plusieurs des œuvres d'Igor Wakhévitch sont créées pour de grands festivals internationaux, tels que le Festival d'Avignon (Cour d'Honneur du Palais des Papes), le Festival de Shiraz-Persépolis en Iran (création mondiale en présence effective de Son Altesse Impériale la Chabanouh Farah Pahlavi), le Festival d'Israël, le Festival des Rencontres Est-Ouest à Mumbai (Inde), organisé par le "Gœthe Institute" et le "National Center of Performing Arts" ; sans compter des créations au Théâtre de la Ville (Paris), au Grand Théâtre de Genève et pour la télévision française (théâtre et danse)

Photo below: Photo of Igor Wakhevitch whith his magic eagle “Hearus” in deep trance (inner cover of the album LOGOS (EMI)

I G O R W A K H E V I T C H

POPPY NO GOOD LABORATORY

I.W.

SALVADOR DALI, THE DIVINE DALI (AVIDA DOLLARS)

Igor at the age of sixteen  (Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, classe d'Olivier Messiaen)

National Opera of Paris: advertisement page for the record “Nagual” inside the program of the evening (Palais Garnier)

Inner worlds, inner horizons, inner landscapes …. the world, our beautiful world …..

Vinyl in white translucid color for “Les Fous d’Or” (the Golden Fools) first edition (EMI Records)

Recording at EMI Studio on the big Modular Moog Synthesizer (Paris-Boulogne)

Photo above: IGOR WAKHEVITCH (with the pink lavalier tie) attending the world creation of his music “AOR” for Symphonic Orchestra and electronic tape (by Jean-Michel JARRE) at the NATIONAL OPERA OF PARIS

Above: handwritten letter to Igor Wakhevitch from Mr. GEORGE POMPIDOU, PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC

Above: verso side, end of the handwritten letter to Igor Wakhevitch from Mr. GEORGE POMPIDOU, PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC

IGOR IN THE HIMALAYAS, IN FRONT OT THE ANNAPURNA SUMMITS IN NEPAL

IGOR WAKHEVITCH WITH HIS CLAIRAUDIANT EAGLE, THE GREAT MEDIUM BIRD “HEARUS”

Above: “Poppy No Good”: Hommage to Terry Riley (Igor’s keyboards, the true “phantom band”)

Photo above: “Poppy No Good” photographied in Elisabeth Cooper’s hysterical mood to seduce “the nurse with wounds” (Rudolph Nureev)

Live Performance at the Theatre des Bouffes du Nord, Paris

World Premiere of "Human Called Being" at the International Festival of Shiraz-Persepolis in the effective presence of Her Majesty Farah Palhavi, Empress of Iran (Music by Igor Wakhevitch, Choreography by  Carolyn Carlson and National Opera of Paris dancers)

Farah Palhavi, Empress of Iran on stage just after "Human Called Being" grand-premiere, world creation, Festival of Siraz-Persepolis (iran)

A beautiful talk between the Empress of Iran Farah Dibah and Igor Wakhevitch about his music. She was asking for the album (Nagual)

Congratulations on stage after the performance. The Empress of Iran praising Igor’s music

Persian Kings tombs (Naqsh-e-Rostam) in Iran. The third one from the left is the tomb of King Assuerus Xerxès I (A'hachvéroch). Performing site of Igor's music "Human Called Being" and Carolyn Carlson for the choreography  (the large stage reproducing Paris Opera's dimensions was erected just beneath the rock cliff)

Igor Wakhevitch offering his album “Nagual” to Her Majesty Farah Palhavi, Empress of Iran

Photo above: EMI special release for the radio stations of “The Smile of the Wolf” (“Nagual” album, LP)

Igor behind his house “Akshara” in South India (Tamil-Nadu) …. on his way to the beach! !!!

National Opera of Paris: first page of the dance program (Carolyn Carlson). Photo of the amazing hieroglyphic figure of a dance-trio called “the Boat Trio" (track "Hunahpuguch" on the firt side of the album "Nagual") EMI Records

"The Eighth Day’s alliance

(Photo below) “PINTO” (the Archetypal Corgi) First corgi arrived in France!

JEAN-MARC TORRÈS’s portrait at 16 (painting by Serge Ivanov, JM’s grandfather) … JMT was a great dancer and choreographer. Igor’s best friend forever ….

USTAD AMJAD ALI KHAN the legendary maestro of sarod (here touring with Igor Wakhevitch in France)

PATHIK (second son of my friend Adhi)

"Un Voyant intérieur, un Connaisseur de l'ordre du plan,

Caché derrière nos pas du moment,

Inspire notre ascension vers des hauteurs jamais vues

Comme jadis il inspirait l'abyssal plongeon de la naissance et de la vie.

Son appel avait atteint le Voyageur du Temps.

Solitaire dans une solitude insondée,

Il voyageait dans sa force silencieuse et résolue

Portant le fardeau du désir d'un monde.

Une Paix sans forme appelait, une Lumière sans nom.

Au-dessus de lui, brillait le Rayon blanc immobile,

Autour de lui, les Silences Eternels.

Nulle borne ne marquait la haute tentative,

Mondes après mondes dévoilaient leurs puissances gardées,

Cieux après cieux, leurs profondes béatitudes,

Mais toujours l'Invisible Aimant tirait son âme.

Telle une petite forme seule sur l'échelle géante de la Nature,

Il grimpait vers un but indiscernable

Sur le sommet nu des choses créées"

                                                                                                 "SAVITRI"  Livre II : "Le Livre du Voyageur des Mondes"  

                                                                                                  Chant Un : L'Escalier du Monde

                                                                                                                                                                 Sri AUROBINDO

« Tu désires voir, écoute : l’audition est un degré vers la vision »

                                           Bernard de Clairvaux

SRI AUROBINDO GAYATRI

                          OM TAT SAVITUR VARAM RUPAM PARASA DHIMAHI YANNAH SATYENA DIPAYET

“A Seer within who knows the ordered plan Concealed behind our momentary steps, Inspires our ascent to viewless heights As once the abysmal leap to birth and life. His call had reached the Traveller in Time. Apart in an unfathomed loneliness, He travelled in his mute and single strength Bearing the burden of the world’s desire. (“Savitri” - Book Two - Canto One) Sri Aurobindo