Born of Six is an album bysvapiti, a Dutch music project led by composer and instrumentalist Werner Durand. It was released on March 22, 2023, and features the voices and instruments of Amelia Cuni, Catherine Christer Hennix, and Werner Durand. The album explores the traditions of Indian classical music and minimalism through the use of drones and other homemade instruments.
Album Overview
Born of Six is a concept album that draws inspiration from the classical Indian dhrupad tradition, as well as minimalism and just intonation. It is composed in a single long piece measuring approximately 55 minutes in length, making it one of the longest recordings in the genre. The compositional approach is rooted in the idea of a "six-born" composition, where the tonic (Sadja) is formed by the combination of the six parts of the body (nose, throat, chest, palate, tongue, and teeth).
Musical Composition
The album consists of a single piece of music, divided into multiple movements that build upon each other to create a cohesive piece. The instrumentalists use a variety of traditional and homemade instruments, including wind instruments such as the harmonium (inception), flutes, and sarruse (an ancient wind instruments), as well as electronic devices like delay pedals and signal processors.
Vocalists
The vocalists involved in the album are Amelia Cuni, Catherine Christer Hennix, and Werner Durand. Cuni is a Dutch singer and performer who is also involved in minimalism projects like For Lovers Only and has performed with artists like John Cage and Henry Flynt. Hennix is a British-born singer and instrumentalist who has worked with artists such as LaMonte Young and has been a member of bands like The Ex. Durand is a composer and instrumentalist who is best known for inventing the "Inventions" series of musical inventions.
Packaging and Artwork
The album is housed in a unique 6-panel digipack artwork featuring the cover artist Karlheinz Bux. The digipack design combines elements of minimalism with a visual representation of the music within. The packaging also includes a sleeve with a detailed explanation of the music and production process, as well as credits for the contributors to the album.
Release and Promotion
After being announced in fall 2022, Born of Six was released to critical acclaim. The album received favorable reviews from music writers who praised the compositional complexity, the musicians' contributions, and the overall production quality. The band has since embarked on several live performances and promotional events across Europe.
Born of Six represents a unique collaboration between three talented artists who come together to create a modern classical music piece rooted in tradition and modern innovation. The album is a testament to the timeless qualities of Indian classical music and minimalism, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in experimental music.
