Köhntarkösz
Encyclopedia
Köhntarkösz is an album released by French
progressive rock
band Magma
in 1974 (see 1974 in music
).
"Coltrane Sündia" (translation: "Coltrane Rest in Peace") is an elegy
for John Coltrane
.
Side two
(2004), and Ëmëhntëhtt-Rê
(2009).
Kohntarkosz, though lyrically sparer than any other lengthy Magma composition, presents through vivid, atmospheric music the tale of a modern archaeologist who discovers the tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh, Emehntehtt-Re. Emehntehtt-Re had devoted his life to a spiritual quest to understand the intimate workings of the universe and gain immortality, and though he had advanced close to his goal, had been murdered before the final attainment was made.
The music of Kohntarkosz, Part I describes the entry of the archaeologist into the tomb of Emehntehtt-Re, and his advancement slowly along the dark passage of the tomb, where he hears heavenly voices and receives visions of the ancient pharaoh's life. These visions culminate when he reaches the burial chamber and disturbs its dust, which seeps into his pores and gives him in a flash a complete understanding of all that the pharaoh had accomplished.
Kohntarkosz, Part II describes the waking of the archaeologist from his vision and his subsequent efforts to recapture and complete Emehntehtt-Re's understanding. Although incomplete at the time of studio recording in 1974, Kohntarkosz, Part 2 was capped with a soaring finale in live performances, as can be heard on the 1975 Live/Hhai.
The Kohntarkosz album marked a change in sound from Magma's previous album. The absence of chant brings it closer to more conventional jazz fusion, however the heavy bass and dark, ritual atmosphere identify it as clearly a Zeuhl album.
Other
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Magma
Magma (band)
Magma is a French progressive rock band founded in Paris in 1969 by classically trained drummer Christian Vander, who claimed as his inspiration a "vision of humanity's spiritual and ecological future" that profoundly disturbed him. In the course of their first album, the band tells the story of a...
in 1974 (see 1974 in music
1974 in music
-January–April:*January 3 – Bob Dylan and The Band kick off their 40-date concert tour at Chicago Stadium. It's Dylan's first time on the road since 1966.*January 17...
).
"Coltrane Sündia" (translation: "Coltrane Rest in Peace") is an elegy
Elegy
In literature, an elegy is a mournful, melancholic or plaintive poem, especially a funeral song or a lament for the dead.-History:The Greek term elegeia originally referred to any verse written in elegiac couplets and covering a wide range of subject matter, including epitaphs for tombs...
for John Coltrane
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
.
Track listing
Side one- "Köhntarkösz (Part I)" (Christian VanderChristian Vander (musician)Christian Vander is a French drummer, musician, and founder of the band Magma. Besides his work with Magma, he has also performed solo, with the Christian Vander Trio and Christian Vander Quartet, and in Offering....
) – 15:22 - "Ork Alarm" (Jannick TopJannick TopJannick Top is a French bass player and composer, born in Marseille. Top plays the electric bass and the cello.In the 1970s, he was a lead member of the influential zeuhl band Magma, along with Christian Vander and Didier Lockwood...
) – 5:28
Side two
- "Köhntarkösz (Part II)" (C. Vander) – 15:55
- "Coltrane Sündïa" (C. Vander) – 4:11
Legacy
The lengthy, two-part title track of this album forms a section of the Kohntarkosz cycle. Although first in order of release, it has now been formulated as the second part in a trilogy consisting of K.A. (Kohntarkosz Anteria)K.A. (Kohntarkosz Anteria)
K.A. is an album released by French progressive rock band Magma in 2004. The albumwas Magma's first full-length studio release in over 20 years. The material was in large part originally composed by drummer Christian Vander in 1973-1974...
(2004), and Ëmëhntëhtt-Rê
Ëmëhntëhtt-Rê
Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré is the tenth studio album by French progressive rock group Magma. It was released on November 5, 2009. Parts of it have been played live since 1975 and can be found on various albums as extracts or live versions. Ëmëhntëhtt-Ré I combines Ëmëhntëht-Rê and Rindë ...
(2009).
Kohntarkosz, though lyrically sparer than any other lengthy Magma composition, presents through vivid, atmospheric music the tale of a modern archaeologist who discovers the tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh, Emehntehtt-Re. Emehntehtt-Re had devoted his life to a spiritual quest to understand the intimate workings of the universe and gain immortality, and though he had advanced close to his goal, had been murdered before the final attainment was made.
The music of Kohntarkosz, Part I describes the entry of the archaeologist into the tomb of Emehntehtt-Re, and his advancement slowly along the dark passage of the tomb, where he hears heavenly voices and receives visions of the ancient pharaoh's life. These visions culminate when he reaches the burial chamber and disturbs its dust, which seeps into his pores and gives him in a flash a complete understanding of all that the pharaoh had accomplished.
Kohntarkosz, Part II describes the waking of the archaeologist from his vision and his subsequent efforts to recapture and complete Emehntehtt-Re's understanding. Although incomplete at the time of studio recording in 1974, Kohntarkosz, Part 2 was capped with a soaring finale in live performances, as can be heard on the 1975 Live/Hhai.
The Kohntarkosz album marked a change in sound from Magma's previous album. The absence of chant brings it closer to more conventional jazz fusion, however the heavy bass and dark, ritual atmosphere identify it as clearly a Zeuhl album.
Personnel
Musicians- Christian VanderChristian Vander (musician)Christian Vander is a French drummer, musician, and founder of the band Magma. Besides his work with Magma, he has also performed solo, with the Christian Vander Trio and Christian Vander Quartet, and in Offering....
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, vocals, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... - Jannick TopJannick TopJannick Top is a French bass player and composer, born in Marseille. Top plays the electric bass and the cello.In the 1970s, he was a lead member of the influential zeuhl band Magma, along with Christian Vander and Didier Lockwood...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, celloCelloThe cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
, vocals, piano - Klaus Basquiz – vocals, percussion
- Gerard Bikialo – pianos, Yamaha organ
- Michel Graillier – pianos, clavinetClavinetA Clavinet is an electrically amplified keyboard instrument manufactured by the Hohner company. It is essentially an electronically amplified clavichord, analogous to an electric guitar. Its distinctive bright staccato sound has appeared particularly in funk, disco, rock, and reggae songs.Various...
- Stella Vander – vocals
- Brian GoddingBrian GoddingBrian Godding is a pop, rock and jazz guitarist. He was brought up, and has mostly lived, in London.He has been a member of many rock, jazz and progressive rock bands, such as The Gravediggers, The Ingoes, Blossom Toes, B. B...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
Other
- "Loulou" Sarkissian "Mekanik" – stage manager
- Fabio Nicoli – design & art direction
- Giorgio GomelskyGiorgio GomelskyGiorgio Gomelsky is a filmmaker, impresario, music manager, songwriter and record producer. He owned the Crawdaddy Club where The Rolling Stones were house band, and he was involved with their early management. He hired The Yardbirds as a replacement and managed them. He was also their...
– producer - Malcolm RobertsonMalcolm RobertsonSir Malcolm Arnold Robertson, GCMG, KBE, PC, was the British Ambassador in Argentina from 1929 to 1932....
– photography - Simon Heyworth – engineer