Wim Mertens
Strategie De La Rupture

PETITE MUSIQUE DE CHAMBRE  

"Minimalism is only the starting point of my work..."

Belgian musician Wim Mertens (1953) insists on dotting the 'i's when someone tries to pigeonhole his art into a genre that feels too confining. Mertens' musical journey is indeed very multifaceted. He started from minimalistic avant-garde, then took an entirely personal path.

The Flemish musician's first work "For Amusement Only" was a purely minimalist work. He created a record with an almost electronic touch, achieving 'musical micro-scores' by using the sounds from some video games of the time (early '80s) like the famous -Space Invaders-. After this initial quirky experimental phase, the author proposed works still tied to the minimalist tradition but increasingly defining their own autonomy. It first led to compositions 'for piano and orchestra' and later to those Mertens self-defined 'Petite Musique De Chambre,' or works 'for solo piano and voice.' Among this group of works, we find "Strategie De La Rupture" (1991).

The 'Petite Musique De Chambre' is intimate and romantic music, far from the rigid minimalism (of artists like Glass and Reich), a new trend that, based on minimalist experiences, surpasses them, leaving aside the coldness of this musical genre and freely expressing emotions.

"My goal is to communicate emotions through music: excitement, nostalgia, conflict, passion. I predominantly use melody because I believe it's the best means to express them..."

9 engaging and emotive pieces, piano and voice. A voice used in falsetto, which does not communicate with words, but with abstract and unreal sounds. The result is warm and moving. From the minimalist tradition, Mertens retains the characteristic repetitiveness of musical modules within the pieces. Notes follow one another in a regular and almost schematic manner, with few variations on the main theme, yet not neglecting a strong emotional component. Even the album's title (literally "Strategies of Rupture") might suggest a connection to the minimal school for its coldness and cerebral technicality. The atmospheres the Flemish artist creates are impactful (at times akin to 'ambient' music), showcasing the author's interiority without filters.

All tracks are splendid, among which stand out: "Darpa" the magical opening of the record, "Huf Huf" chosen as the album's single, "Houfnice", the dark notes of "Jaat", and finally the spectacular "Iris"... an opening of mere chords, with a progressive musical crescendo that reaches its peak as Mertens’ voice enters.

Music only for a narrow circle of connoisseurs? Absolutely false! Despite what many might expect. Wim Mertens’ primary aim is to bring his art to the attention of as many people as possible. He wishes to create works that are entirely accessible to all and appeal to many tastes.

"In short, I want my music to be as popular as possible..."