Mallarmé, first published in May 1897, Stéphane Mallarmé’s poem ‘Un coup de dés jamais n’abolira le hasard’ (A throw of the dice will never abolish chance), occupies a singular place in the history of European literature. Its intimate combination of free verse and unusual typographic layout anticipated the 20th century interest in graphic design and concrete poetry.
It is this spirit of spatial and semantic disruption that inspired ‘Mallarme,’ Haslinger and Wittman’s musical interpretation of the poem, which draws on the temporal elasticity and multidimensionality of listening, and explores the fleeting nature of sonic perception. Fluid and organically evolving, ‘Mallarmé’ unfolds across three movements. Interweaving minimalism and experimentation, impressionism and abstraction, the work invites the listener into a realm of tonal poetry.
“Our aim was to capture the random, abstract essence of his text through an immersive, unhurried pace, where sounds and motifs reverberate in recurring patterns. We embraced a minimalist simplicity to better isolate sonic and harmonic elements – much like Mallarmé visually separates words or clusters of words, treating them as distinct sonic, visual, and semantic entities,” states Wittman. He continues, “We also sought to embody the dynamics of creative flow between chance and necessity, taking cues from the “automatic writing” of early 20th-century French Surrealist poets: a relaxed, evolving state of consciousness, generating sonic images, forms, and colors across a temporal continuum.”
On ‘Borges,’ Haslinger and Wittman craft immersive soundscapes that echo the poet’s profound and enigmatic world. One of the most influential writers of the 20th century, Jorge Luis Borges was an Argentine short-story writer, essayist, poet and translator regarded as a key figure in Spanish-language and international literature. Renowned for his profound and poetic explorations of reality, time, and the nature of language, his works often delve into philosophical puzzles, blending fiction with metaphysical inquiries, and have had a major influence on the magical realist movement in 20th century Latin American literature.
Exploring his timeless themes of illusion, memory, fiction, and the infinite, ‘Borges’ offers an organic and deep musical experience that mirrors the complexity of his literary universe. With its subliminal lines and expansive atmospheric textures, the music unfolds like a labyrinth – layered, intricate, and filled with subtle events. Each composition resonates with a sense of timelessness, drawing listeners into a reflective space where sound becomes a mirror of Borges’ own exploration of perception and reality.
“I remember being fascinated by the writings of Stanislav Lem (Solaris, etc.), and this, indirectly, also led me to discover Borges, another author who experimented with a foundation of scientific principles, which he then would explore creatively, and often take into absurdity. Looking back on these writings, they seem quite prophetic in the sense that our lives now are dominated by science and technology, but on occasion, they produce very illogical experiences. In this way, Borges was one of the first authors to sense this tension of experience we currently find ourselves in,” says Haslinger.
Looking ahead, noion will evolve into a platform for like-minded musicians, creating a space to explore new creative territories at the intersection of contemporary music, minimalism, ambient, and classical traditions. Through collaborations and shared exploration, noion will foster an environment where experimentation and authenticity are at the forefront, welcoming musicians who seek to push boundaries and redefine artistic expression.
Paul Haslinger & Christian Wittman ‘Mallarme’ / ‘Borges’
Albums released 10th July
noion
‘Mallarmé’
1. ‘Un coup de dés’
2. ‘Le hasard’
3. ‘Jamais n’abolira
‘Borges’
1. ‘Elogio de la Sombra’
2. ‘Fictions’
3. ‘Orbis Tertius’
4. ‘Aleph’
5. ‘Labyrinths’
6. ‘Uqbar’
Paul Haslinger is an Austrian composer and former member of Tangerine Dream, known for blending electronic and orchestral elements into immersive, emotionally resonant soundscapes. His acclaimed solo work, including ‘Exit Ghost’ (2020) and his score for the BAFTA-winning ‘Somewhere Boy’ (2022) reflect his boundary-pushing approach to music. Christian Wittman is a founding member of Lightwave, a French group that forged a unique creative path in the field of electronic and ambient music. As a solo artist, he has released a string of projects that sit at the intersection of ambient, atmospheric classical, and minimalism.
Stay tuned for Electronic ConnectFM Tracks of the Month selection and listen to Paul Haslinger & Christian Wittman’s new music first
