Polyphème / Wassim Halal & Gamelan Puspawarna – Le Rêve de Polyphème (Pagans, 2024)
Polyphème was formed in 2018 for the recording of a track on Wassim Halal’s album Le Cri du Cyclope. It is a collaborative project combining the talents of seven members from the Gamelan Puspawarna ensemble and percussionist Wassim Halal.
On Le Rêve de Polyphème, the group explores a unique mix of rhythms that interweave the Balinese gamelan with the North African and Arabic darbuka in an experimental dialogue that challenges conventional time and sound structures. Their compositions are characterized by improvisation, masterfully crafted complex rhythmic patterns, and recurring ornaments that create an immersive listening experience.
Wassim Halal is an innovator in percussion. His musical career has been shaped by his experiences in Lebanon, where he studied traditional Dabkeh wedding music, and his exposure to Turkish gypsy music. Halal has developed a distinctive style on the darbuka and doholla, bringing together influences from various musical traditions. His openness to improvisation and exploration of new sounds has led to collaborations with a diverse range of artists. Some notable projects include the trio Bey.Ler.Bey, the Çok Malko Collective, and the formation of Polyphème. His work often focuses on the rhythmic and tonal possibilities of his instruments, pushing the boundaries of percussion.
The goal of Gamelan Puspawarna is to preserve and innovate Balinese Tradition. Gamelan Puspawarna is a Nanterre-based ensemble that specializes in Balinese gamelan music. Founded in 2011 by Hsiao-Yun Tseng, Jérémie Abt, and Théo Mérigeau, the group has collaborated with renowned Balinese musicians and composers to develop an extensive repertoire. They have performed at prestigious venues such as the Philharmonie de Paris and the Musée Guimet, while also integrating dance and theater into their performances. The ensemble’s ongoing collaboration with composer A.A.B.G. Krishna Sutedja has resulted in the premiere of several original pieces.
Buy Le Rêve de Polyphème.
Author: Tyler Bennet
