We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Peach Blossom

by Piotr Kurek

/
  • Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Hand stamped

    Includes unlimited streaming of Peach Blossom via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days
    1 remaining
    Purchasable with gift card

      €50 EUR or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      €8 EUR  or more

     

  • Vinyl LP
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    ⤳ Black vinyl pressing limited to 300 copies
    ⤳ Heavyweight outer + poly-lined inner sleeves
    ⤳ Includes a (double) download code card

    Includes unlimited streaming of Peach Blossom via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

1.
2.
3.
Breathing 08:24
4.
5.
6.
Bau 02:38

about

Polish composer Piotr Kurek returns to Mondoj with 'Peach Blossom', an album centered around sung and synthesised vocal harmonies, showcasing the composer’s gentle, uncanny approach to vocal treatments and arrangements. Pairing the vocals of Komi Togbonou and Martin Weigel (both actors of Münchner Kammerspiele) and spoken words by Chinese performer Xiangjie with MIDI and live recordings of various instruments like marimba, flutes, reeds as well as various percussion instruments, the Warsaw-based composer highlights the unique tonal and textural potential of the human voice. The title track perhaps illustrates this approach most strikingly, interweaving wordless layers of vocals that ebb and flow with natural grace. “Breathing” follows with a more abrupt, almost jazz-tinged atmosphere, whereas “Ds / The Moss Beneath'' is more orchestral, almost classical in its approach. The centerpiece of the album is the 12-minute opus “Martin Is Crying”, where the interplay between the vocal layers and glockenspiel resembles classic early renaissance music, while adding more range and harmony to the playful tone.

'Peach Blossom' is another theater-adjacent release following Kurek's acclaimed collection 'A Sacrifice Shall Be Made / All The Wicked Scenes' (2020). The album features music from a theatre performance at Münchner Kammerspiele in October 2021 titled ‘某种类似于我的地洞:心室片段 Heart Chamber Fragments’ (directed by Tian Gebing / Paper Tiger Theatre), as well as music composed following the completion of this project. ‘Peach Blossom’ is named after a fable written in the year 421 by Chinese poet Tao Yuanming which depicts life in harmony in perfect isolation from the outside world, unaware of it for centuries. Kurek’s aural interpretation builds on it even further, showcasing his incredible world-building ability, creating fascinating, absorbing music from the simplest of ingredients.

Text by Adam Badí Donoval

credits

released March 31, 2023

Music composed, performed and produced by Piotr Kurek.

Vocals by Komi Togbonou (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and Martin Weigel (1, 2, 3). Spoken words by Xiangjie (6).
Recorded at Münchner Kammerspiele by Piotr Kurek and Ulrich Treutwein. Spoken words recorded by Hua Dong.

Mastered by Stephan Mathieu at Schwebung Mastering.

Cover artwork by Mel Keane (Frog of Earth).
Back cover photo by Ng Chor Guan.
Design and layout by Paulina Ufnal & Janek Ufnal.

"Peach Blossom" video directed by Sebastian Mihăilescu, edited by Marc Solomon.

⤳ MONDOJ21

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Mondoj Warsaw, Poland

contact / help

Contact Mondoj

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Peach Blossom, you may also like: