Creation : pieces 1 to 5 : 17 January 1998 at La Cité de la Musique of Paris ; pieces 6 to 14 : 5 May 2000 at Hippodrome de Douai.
Commandes : pieces 1 to 5 : Percussions de Strasbourg / Cité de la Musique of Paris ; pieces 6 to 14 : French State and Hippodrome de Douai.
Musicians: 6 percussionists
Duration: 60′
CD: Recorded on 8 and 9 September 2001 in Strasbourg / 2001 Musidisc France
1. Handwurst / 2. Pickled-Herring / 3. Chimpanz de Capelin / 4. Pantalon / 5. Jean Potage / 6. Triboulet / 7. Jack Pudding / 8. Jean Farine / 9. Pagliacio / 10. Jimmy Warner / 11. Bobeche / 12. Galimafré / 13. Chocolat / 14. Chico, fou du roi.
Bibilolo is a game. Babbling, playing with sounds, juggling, pleasure dominates. Clean, animal or totally saturated sounds. There are also sounds of “memory”, those that may remind you of pygmy or Irish music. I wanted a free space, something that could be invented. I was no longer afraid and I forgot the need to justify a “serious” work. But I am no less consistent. I became once again the child (dedicating this piece to my first son), the one who plays with objects without wondering where it comes from, and even if certain pseudo melodies have already been heard somewhere, I take them up again, turn them over, transform them, play them. I was dreaming of another child with other spells? The use of electronic sounds provides a satisfactory answer to this need for imagination. It is a question of “modelling” sound, of inventing it (more than 400 different sounds in the room…). I chose a synthesis that is no longer in fashion: FM synthesis (frequency modulation), the famous DX7 synthesis. This choice is part of the same will to play, and it is, it seems to me, possible to make a new music with tools that smell like the 80/90s. I do not confuse design and tool. I can take any tool, as long as it conforms to my design. I have also played with the Percussions de Strasbourg. They wanted a piece for them, for their instruments (skins, keyboards…), and I suggested another way: inventing instruments that could be touched and produce electronic sounds. There are many “pads” on the market, but I wanted much more sensitivity, especially for the hands. We were beginning to discover pressure “sensors”. So I had specific instruments made for them thanks to the Attentat association, whose support from the Ministry of Culture at the time made it possible. It should be noted that these instruments have a high attack sensitivity (127 degrees!). The manufacture of these electronic cases (designed by Emmanuel Fléty) was taken over and marketed by the IRCAM.
Bibilolo is a rather “special” piece, for children and adults who want to indulge in an imagination without borders, at the same time light, happy and sometimes tragic!
Marc Monnet