The Sketchbook of Max Ernst By Walter Holland

 

The Sketchbook of Max Ernst

By

Walter Holland

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I get to listen to many genres of music as my days roll onward, many styles and much instrumentation; however one of the most unique albums that I have had the greatest pleasure to listen to this year has been The Sketchbook of Max Ernst by Walter Holland, this is by far a superior work of art by an artist who delves deeply into the realm of art itself, mixing the perfect juxtaposition of guitar and electronic music in a weave of sheer class.

The opening piece is called The Marriage of Heaven and Earth and what a wonderfully grand start indeed, the base of the piece reminds me of Floyd with such a depth of guitar and keyboard mastery, one entwined within the compositional structure of the offering. A powerful processional manifestation can be found within this arrangement, one that builds with such power, but has an element of grace too, added to that abundance the German spoken audio was idyllic “Du Bist Jetzt” (You are Now).

The following delicious electronic narrative is entitled The Beautiful Season, natural sounds abound here in an almost jungle like backdrop of sound and mood, whilst Hollands electronic technical prowess forms the basis for what could be described as one of the most ambient constructs off the release. The painting by Ernst was actually created in 1925, and was part of the blossoming surrealist movement, and is certainly worth a gaze whilst listening to this track perhaps.

The following manifestation is filled with colourful imagery and called Of This Men Shall Know Nothing. Two years earlier than the aforementioned Beautiful Season work, Ernst would execute this piece, and if I remember correctly this is still located at the Tate in Liverpool England. Of This Men Shall Know Nothing has a blissful floating new age feel to its construction, and in style reminds me of the work of US electronic artist Forrest Smithson in its space like ambience. The smoothness of this track is also an idyllic pleasure; one could literally drift in its ever abundant arms for an eternity.

We now move into the deeper waters of the release where we will find the composition The Elephant Celebes. This creation is of an even earlier time dating back to 1921, and within it we can perhaps see elements of Dadaism too. The transitional flow of the tone and timbre here is sublime in creating waves of sonic bliss, ones that drift up to the beach of tomorrow, kiss the sand and retreat into the haze of yesterday; this is utterly encapsulating and one of my personal favourites from the album, the organ segment toward the latter half of the piece was simply emotive and breath taking.

The King is Playing with the Queen, our penultimate piece is now upon us with its regal tones. This slice of electronic wizardry is based on a sculpture this time, where we see the chess piece of little moves, the King, playing his own game whilst defending the Queen. There is a cadenced objectivity here that is so delightful, the rhythmic pattern flows with grace and passion, but the piece itself matures into a more complex arrangement, much like a game of chess, a game of many possibilities, but the overall aim is not to lose.

Our concluding musical narrative is entitled L'Ange du Foyer, (Fireside Angel) ou Le Triomphe du Surréalime, is with ease the most powerful and deeply moving pieces from the release, and a rare political statement in art by the artist, symbolism from this raging bird like creature highlighting the wave of fascism flooding across Europe, and created in of course 1937. This is a level of mastery of electronic musicianship that you are ever likely to hear; the repeating motif in a Berlin style is a constant reminder to us, the flowing synths heart felt and emotive coda never to be forgotten.

The Sketchbook of Max Ernst by Walter Holland is without doubt one of the most superior works of musical art that I have listened to this year, beautifully choreographed and sublimely performed, its intelligent and musical inspired constructs pay a great homage to the master of Dadaism and Surrealism in Max Ernst. For me this was a voyage of total pleasure, as I gain great gratification from these styles of music and art, and I’m reminded of the work by William Neal from the UK, who, although thought of as abstract in style, created the iconic art work for Emerson Lake and Palmers Tarkus album, in my view some similarities can be found within the works of Ernst.

The Sketchbook of Max Ernst by Walter Holland should be a much sort after resource for all fans of truly exceptional electronic music, this is an album that embraces its subject matter meaningfully, and in doing so makes it even more accessible for everyone, and an album of great quality can indeed be found here and surely a big hit on the charts too.