Cirque Klimperei | TRS113
Klimperei! I have been a lover of their uniquely strange and beautiful music for well over 20 years, and some of the tracks on this album go back to the mid 1980’s. When I initially approached composer Christophe Petchanatz with the idea of releasing a two record, comprehensive compilation of what I thought were some of their finest moments, he was immediately and completely enthused. Over the period of several months he gave me access to hundreds of tracks, giving me carte blanche to select those that I felt most expressive of his wonderful aesthetic.
I then arranged them in what I feel is a balanced selection of tracks and moods for the four sides of the release, and after some back and forth with Christophe, along with a complete re-mastering of the entire album by Taylor Deupree, the circus has come to town!
Much of Klimperei’s music has an off kilter performative feel about it, as though it were written with specific characters and unusual concepts and scenarios in mind. This, and the fact that much of the music features the usage of various toy instruments, utensils, and noisy mechanisms led me to the concept that became “Cirque Klimperei.” As I repeatedly listened, I began to envision the album as a soundtrack to a set of particular acts, performed for our pleasure by a most unusual cast!
“Klimperei” is a German word that means in effect…an awful plunking! That is hardly the case, and for me it is music that is difficult to describe in words. A blend of broken minuets and fractured fairy tales, wonderfully off-key, melancholic and melodic folk based meanderings, where mysteriously ethereal chiming and softly played piano leads into darker magical expanses, and magicians ply their theatrical trade under the big top that is “Cirque Klimperei!”
This 2 record release comes in two distinct vinyl versions. A “standard”, heavyweight, gatefold jacketed edition of 150 copies, and an over the top Limited Edition version of 50 copies, which even by our standards is unbelievably and appropriately absurd!
For 10 years now I have been collecting all the copies I could find of a particular, 1959, double record release of Beethoven’s, “Missa Solemnis” music. Released by Angel Records at the time, the two records came inside a gaudy, red and gold, embossed and die-cut, heavyweight, cardboard, windowed gatefold jacket. Over time I managed to collect 50 copies of these jackets, and just in time for this Klimperei release!
The appropriately dramatic looking jackets have been extensively modified, and been turned into an open air, 3D circus tent of sorts! As you open the jacket a sewn string of felt flags set the stage, while below, the popup “audiences” await, cut from from antique Bay Area children’s class photos. A dangling antique French tram ticket gets you to the show. The two interior spaces are decorated with an old bullet perforated paper shooting range target, Japanese art paper, hand cut, dimensional gold papers, and populated with a pop-up mermaid riding the waves, a hanging spinning children’s game card, a hinged vintage French, Epinal postcard, and hand cut and collaged costumed figures from a colorful 100 year old book on the circus. The Circus is in town!
The 2 records come in poly inner sleeves, and the final fantastical package comes in an oversized outer poly sleeve.
Shipping starting mid-october 2024. The Deluxe Edition examples shown may or may not be the one you receive, as they are all uniquely different.
>>>> What is Klimperei? <<<<
The musical project Klimperei was started in 1985, and until 2001 was originally a duo comprising Christophe Petchanatz, and then wife Françoise Lefebvre on piano. In 2002 Klimperei goes solo, and incorporates various friends, such as longstanding collaborator Madame Patate. Their musical adventures have included at times various toy instruments and other strange noise making devices, as well as guitar. The tight-knit compositions happen in the home studio, while the live performances are often looser interpretations of these compositions, and have taken Klimperei all the way to the loving ears of Japanese audiences.
>>>> Credits <<<<
All music by Klimperei
All tracks remastered for this release by Taylor Deupree at 12k
Packaging design by Colin Herrick and Maria Chenut
Time Released Sound 2024
SIDE A
01 Ouverture
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally released on the CD album “Alice Au Pays Des Merveilles”
In-Poly-Sons (F), Gazul Records (F), Novel Cell Poem (J)
02 La Rencontre
by Madame Patate (Émilie Siaut) & Christophe Petchanatz
– lyrics by Mme Patate
Originally released on the double LP “Air De Rien”
On the In-Poly-Sons label, 2023
(Also featuring Pascal Comelade, Guigou Chenevier
and Toupidek Limonade)
03 Un Voile Blanc
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally released on the “Weed Sampler 3” cassette compilation
Weed Music, Germany, 1988
04 On Y Va
Klimperei – Composed and performed by Christophe Petchanatz
Originally released on the CD album “Salle Polyvalente”
On the In-Poly-Sons label, France, 2006
05 Arvi Pas?
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally released on the CD album “Salle Polyvalente”
On the In-Poly-Sons label, France, 2006
06 La Fée Didascalie
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally released on the CD album “Big & Bang”
On the Organic label, France, 2000
Composed for for the theater piece BIG & BANG, by Philippe Labaune, from a text by Patrick Dubost
07 Cheveux D’Ange
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally released on the cassette album “Passage De La Gloriette”
On the Tonspur Tapes label, Germany, 1992
With thanks to Érik Satie
08 En Barque
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally released on the CD album “Un P’tit Coin D’Ciel Gris”
On the Prikosnovénie label, France, 2000
SIDE B
09 De Branche En Branche
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally on the split CD album by Sebastian Gandera / Klimperei
“La Bakélite / Petit Aéroplane” On the Façade label, France, 1994
10 – C’est Du Cinéma
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally on the cassette album “Au Jardin Botanique”
On the SPH label, Portugal, 1991
Includes a recording made by Gabriel Cardon (aka Gaby, le sorcier
de Bioux), from a neighbor explaining that submarines,
and trips to the moon are impossible.
11 Bouquet Lent
Klimperei – Composed and performed by Christophe Petchanatz
Originally from the CD album “Baboler”
On the Acidsoxx Musicks label, US, 2005
12 Un Jour Cotonneux
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally released on the CD album “Un P’tit Coin D’Ciel Gris”
On the Prikosnovénie label, France, 2000
13 Rivers In A Dreamland
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally on the cassette compilation “Supercherie”
On the Façade label, France, 1991
14 Les Tipos D’Lé
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally on the cassette album “Album Photographique”
On the Façade label, France, 1992
15 Églantine
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally released on the CD album “Un P’tit Coin D’Ciel Gris”
On the Prikosnovénie label, France, 2000
SIDE C
16 Alice Final
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally from the CD album “Baboler”
On the Acidsoxx Musicks label, US, 2005
17 Sur Le Sable
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally released on the CD album “Un P’tit Coin D’Ciel Gris”
On the Prikosnovénie label, France, 2000
18 Lola’s Home
Christophe Petchanatz & Miyako/Tamasudare
Originally on the cassette “Handpicked”
On the Esc.rec. label, Netherlands, 2021
Recorded in 2015
19 La Tentation
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Previously unreleased, circa 1997
20 Elle Est Pas Là
Klimperei – Composed and performed by Christophe Petchanatz
Originally from the CD album “Baboler”
On the Acidsoxx Musicks label, US, 2005
21 Wszystko Skrecone
Klimperei – Composed and performed by Christophe Petchanatz
Previously unreleased
22 Lola Petit Chagrin
Klimperei – Composed and performed by Christophe Petchanatz
Originally released on the CD album “Galipoche Et Chipiron”
On the Jardin Au Fou label, 2007
A record that I made for my young daughter (born in 2006),
with the kind complicity of Sébastien Morlighem, from Jardin au Fou.
23 Picniques Et Leptosomes
Klimperei – Composed and performed by Christophe Petchanatz
Originally on the cassette “Handpicked”
On the Esc.rec. label, Netherlands, 2021
Recorded in 2015
SIDE D
24 Quatuor Opus 1 (Danse De La Malcontente) I
Klimperei – Composed and performed by Christophe Petchanatz
Originally on the split CD album by Sebastian Gandera / Klimperei
“La Bakélite / Petit Aéroplane”
On the Façade label, France, 1994
25 Lianes
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally on the split CD album by Sebastian Gandera / Klimperei
“La Bakélite / Petit Aéroplane”
On the Façade label, France, 1994
26 Wrove
Klimperei – Composed and performed by Christophe Petchanatz
Originally released on the digital album “Penser”
On the Hamfuggi label, Spain, 2022
Composed circa 2015
27 Ronde Brute
Klimperei – Composed and performed by Christophe Petchanatz
Dedicated to the dancer and choreographer Mayalen Otondo
The music was played live for a performance created by
Philippe Labaune, about Raw Art. Brute, 2018
Previously unreleased
28 Vue Sur La Plaine
Klimperei – Composed by Christophe Petchanatz
and performed with Françoise Lefebvre
Originally from the CD album “Baboler”
On the Acidsoxx Musicks label, US, 2005
29 La Soupente
Klimperei – Composed and performed by Christophe Petchanatz
Originally released on the cassette album “Gris-Nez”
On the Megamagomusic label, Italy, 1990
SHM Tapes label, Germany
69/69 label, France
Violet Glass Oracle Tapes, USA
