Theo Bleckmann - I Dwell in Possibility

2010 release

In the planning stages of his first solo CD for Winter & Winter, long before the actual recording, it became apparent that the choice of space would be extremely important and the desire emerged to not use any electronic devices for reverb, echo or rooms effects. A space had to be found that would allow for the greatest acoustic development possible, a space that, depending on position of microphones, would offer different sound characteristics such as chamber music-like qualities, as in the Villa Medici-Giulini in Brianza, Italy, but also offer long church reverb or repetitious echo effects as well as a beautiful acoustic comparable to that of the "Musikverein" in Vienna. The natural acoustics at the remote monastery Beinwil in Switzerland proved to be the ideal duet partner for Bleckmann’s solos with its many facets of echoes and reverbs. Here, everything was recorded live and without later studio processing or sound manipulation, including a few vocal overdubs.

Producer Stefan Winter was inspired by Lars von Trier's "Dogma 95" and followed the rules of "Dogma 95" for the music production »I Dwell in Possibility«, but the "vow of chastitity" was not interpreted as a fundamental law, more as an instruction to produce new sound and listening experiences.

Inspired by the Arte Povera, the Italian art movement of the 60’s that created installations with the simplest and "poorest" materials, Bleckmann creates with humble means and, very much like the church itself, has the devotion and quiet of a prayer. Besides his voice and a myriad of acoustics, Bleckmann has chosen some unlikely companions for his solos: music boxes, megaphones, autoharp, glasses, water, shruti and various toys that occasionally accompany him. His repertoire is just as multifaceted and ranges from Bleckmann’s own compositions, like his solo "Duet For One", the haunting "Ma’at" (based on ancient Greek music and poetry), his self-reflecting "Static Still" and his settings of Kurt Schwitters and Emily Dickinson along with his renditions of Supertramp’s "Lord Is It Mine" and Joni Mitchell’s "The Fiddle And The Drum".

Bleckmann is also the first singer to record one of Meredith Monk's intricate signature solo voice pieces: "Wa-lie-oh", which was passed on to him by Ms. Monk herself. The inclusion of two jazz standards connects us to Bleckmann’s roots in jazz. "Comes Love" poses a witty counterpoint to the spacious "I hear A Rhapsody" in duet with melodica. Using the full range of his voice, Bleckmann has developed a diverse catalogue of sounds and extended techniques but stays away from gimmickry or vocal trickery, instead he uses sounds with precision and weaves them into his compositions and arrangements making it sound less like a catalogue of tricks but more like invocations.

The music and concept of »I Dwell In Possibility« is totally unique. »I Dwell In Possibility« is an album about the sonic beauty of the voice. The special recording procedure without any processing allows the best possible development in a selected natural room. Theo Bleckmann makes music that is accessibly sophisticated, unsentimentally emotional, and seriously playful. His work provokes the mind to wonder, but connects immediately with the heart. »I Dwell In Possibility« is Theo Bleckmann's first real solo album. In five years he has recorded a variety of very different projects from jazz to pop and to new music.

In 2004 the cooperation with producer Stefan Winter started with the Cabaret-Opera »Der Kastanienball«, a project produced by the Münchner Opernfestspiele, followed by »Las Vegas Rhapsody« a wonderful teamwork with the Japanese composer and pianist Fumio Yasuda and the Kammerorchester Basel. Another musical "travelogue" leads to Berlin – »Songs of love and war, peace and exile«. And the record »Twelve Songs by Charles Ives« brings to Theo Bleckmann and the group Kneebody the first Grammy nomination. 2008 he released the debut album with the group "refuge trio" and with Fumio Yasuda he records »Schumann's Favored Bar Songs« in 2009.

Theo Bleckmann has been awarded in Germany with an ECHO Jazz 2010 in the category "Best singer national".