Kyema, Intermediate States, 1992 [61:22]
Eliane Radigue - ARP 2500
Radigue’s long-term study of Buddhism is reflected in this meditative work - Kyema is exemplary of the composer’s interest in synthesized drones. This work is the first piece in the Trilogie de La Mort, a three-part series based on the Bardol-Thodol, the Tibetan Book of the Dead. “Kyema” is a Tibetan word referring to the state of surprise mixed with sorrow.
Eliane Radigue was born in Paris. She studied electroacoustic music techniques at RTF under Pierre Shaeffer and Pierre Henry, later becoming Henry’s assistant at the Studio Apsome. She has had residences at the New York University School of the Arts, at the University of Iowa, and at the California Institute of the Arts. In 1975, Radigue became a disciple of Tibetan Buddhism. After four years of study, she began a large-scale cycle of works based on the life of the 11th century Tibetan master Milarepa. Three recordings of this work, “Songs of Milarepa,” “Jetsun Mila,” and “Mila’s Joumey Inspired by a Dream,” have been released by Lovely Music. Radigue’s music has been performed throughout Europe and the United States. She currently lives in France, where she continues to compose electronic music and to study the teachings of the Tibetan lamas.
(Source: ubu.com)
