Sequentia Legenda Decade view by Paul

Sequentia Legenda Celebrates 10 Years
with the Album DECEM

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF SEQUENTIA LEGENDA
with the Album DECEM

As an artist of the Berlin School for a decade now, I have had the privilege of sharing musical and spiritual journeys with many passionate fans. Today, I am excited to announce the release of my new album, DECEM, scheduled for December 27, 2015, marking my ten-year presence on the music scene.

Discover the insights of Paul Rijkens, an avid listener from the early days and a contributor for iO Pages magazine. His unique perspective and in-depth analysis offer enriching views on the musical evolution of Sequentia Legenda over the years.

DECEM Trailer

THE MUSICAL EVOLUTION OF SEQUENTIA LEGENDA
As Seen by Paul Rijkens

Laurent: Which Sequentia Legenda track or album has had the most impact on you and why?

Paul: For me, it is Float Among The Stars from the album Beyond The Stars. This song embodies everything I love about Sequentia Legenda's music. It has a magnificent sequence, excellent choir sounds, and a melancholic atmosphere that brings me back to the late 70s when the Berlin School style was flourishing.

Laurent: What aspect of Sequentia Legenda's music touches you the most and why?

Paul: In Sequentia Legenda's music, you can clearly hear the love and devotion for the Berlin School. All the albums breathe the Berlin School. It is the music Laurent grew up with. The same goes for me, so I think we have something in common here. I am a bit of a gear freak. Laurent uses software to make his music. But I don't hear any difference with hardware instruments. Using software in such a way that I don't notice it is also a quality of Laurent, in my opinion.

Laurent: How would you describe Sequentia Legenda's musical evolution from the album BLUE DREAM to today?

Paul: It is certain that Laurent is a big fan of Klaus Schulze's music, especially that from the late 70s. This can be clearly heard in BLUE DREAM. This is also true for the other albums, but I hear more and more that he brings in sometimes very subtle changes that can be called his own style. The sequences, the sounds, the drums, but overall the great atmosphere make the music.

THE TOTAL FREEDOM TO TRAVEL, TO IMAGINE, TO DREAM
For me, the Berlin School is all of that

Paul: What has drawn you to the Berlin School style of electronic music?

Laurent: Freedom. The total freedom to travel, to imagine, to dream. It is precisely this spirit of freedom that I still hold dear today to share with listeners. What is more beautiful than freedom, especially after what humanity has experienced? Music has no boundaries; vibrations are everywhere around us, they are energy, they are an integral part of life here and elsewhere. For me, the Berlin School is all of that.

It is precisely this freedom that has allowed me to explore new sounds and create compositions that escape conventional structures. For example, in my tracks, I enjoy playing with long and hypnotic sequences, sophisticated layers, and sequences in perpetual change, immersive sound textures that invite the listener to travel beyond our constraints, beyond our limits. It is a way to liberate the imagination and allow everyone to escape, to find their own space of dream and contemplation. The Berlin School is more than a musical genre; it is a philosophy, a way of perceiving and feeling music as a universal and timeless language, free from any constraints.

 

Paul: I have seen earlier pictures of you where you set behind hardware synthesizers. On your Sequentia Legenda albums you use software synthesizers. What made you decide to use software? I must honestly say, I don't hear a difference.

Laurent: It's a great compliment to hear that you don't notice the difference between software and physical instruments. I place great importance on the sound texture, particularly the analog grain that is typical of the mid-70s. I had the chance to acquire some prestigious analog machines such as the Korg modular, the famous PS3200, the MS20 and its companion, the SQ10 sequencer, the Oberheim DuoVoices, and the iconic ARP Odyssey, to name a few. Later, with the arrival of the MIDI standard, I traded my machines for digital synthesizers like the Roland JD800 or the Waldorf Microwave. I was able to experiment with different types of synthesis, which allowed me to quickly become comfortable with virtual synthesizers. I feel at ease with them; I've learned to get the best out of them to closely approach the sound grain that I love. The possibilities are vast, and I follow my heart in choosing these options. 

In conclusion:

I am deeply touched by Paul's words and his perspective on my work. His feedback, both on the technical and emotional aspects of my music, shows me that my quest to create and share positive vibrations and an immersive atmosphere is achieving its goal. Knowing that Paul does not notice any differences between the physical synthesizers and the VSTs in my work is a great recognition for me. The fact that I was able to work on subtractive synthesis in my youth has served me well. The feelings of the listeners are always important to me, and knowing that my compositions can resemble the best years of the Berlin School is an immense reward. Knowing that my love and dedication to this beautiful movement are apparent in my soundscapes makes me extremely happy.

For those who missed it, don't forget to check out my interview with Renaud Joly, where we discussed the significant moments of my last ten years in music. Read here.

While waiting for the release of DECEM, I also invite you to discover the DVD LIVE in EINDHOVEN, which captures the essence of our performance, Tommy Betzler and myself.

Thank you again for your continuous support.

Musicales Greetings,
Laurent Schieber (Sequentia Legenda)

 

 

            

ALCYONE under Paul Rijken’s spotlight

"ALCYONE is an album of absolute excellent
Berlin School electronic music
with great sequencing and wonderful soundsculptures.
This music is deep, uplifting and utterly beautiful."
Paul Rijkens (Reviewer for the Dutch magazine iO Pages)

Thanks to Paul Rijkens for this photo

ALCYONE under Paul Rijken’s spotlight
Topic: The album

Paul Rijkens: Alcyone comes out of the Greek mythology. She was the daughter of Aeolus and the wife of Ceyx. She drowned herself in grief when Ceyx died and was transformed into a kingfisher. She was also called Halcyone.

Where did your idea or inspiration come from to use Alcyone as concept for this album?

Sequentia Legenda: In fact, ALCYONE represents the Great Central Sun, which is the theme of my album. A year ago, ALCYONE came to me like a bolt from the blue, and I felt it was essential to express this energy, this elevation emanating from the Great Central Sun, musically. Everyone is free to choose whether or not to embrace it, everyone is free to do their own research and to be discerning, especially in these current times.

For me, it was natural and important to decode and transcribe what I perceived so that I could share and offer the best of myself, both humanly and musically. It was obvious to follow my heart, to share this fabulous energy, this luminous force, this vibrant joy, this infinite hope.

ALCYONE is all that 🙏☀️🙏


Track 1: Around The Great Central Sun
Paul: The sun is all. The sun is everything. Without the sun, earth and the humans cannot survive. It is one of your most joyful compositions, you state in the booklet.

How did you come with the idea of the sun for a track ?

Sequentia Legenda: It was the logical continuation of ALCYONE, I had to highlight this radiant and loving alignment, this incredible creative power literally breathed into me by the Great Central Sun. The more I progressed with this composition, the more the atmosphere of joy grew, much to my delight - it was quite indescribable, in fact. In the end, all I know is that, in my opinion, it's the 'happiest' track in my discography.

Around The Great Central Sun is a message of Peace, Hope and Love, an invitation to gravitate freely in an atmosphere bathed in a divine light and in a creative benevolence. It's a cosmic dance around this fabulous Great Central Sun for a spiritual elevation.


Track 2: The Ring Of Golden Light
Paul: Gold is one of the most precious and valuable materials in the world. Light of gold must also be very precious.

Did you feel surrounded by it when you composed this track?

Sequentia Legenda: I felt surrounded, guided and transcended by a gentle, benevolent emanation that exhaled my creativity – Gratitude🙏

The idea of this composition is to take the listener towards the ring of golden light of an ascending spiral to reach high and beneficial vibrations. The soundscape is a bit like a nebula bathed in a soft, regenerative light. Everyone is free to make up their own mind, to find their own path to exaltation.


Track 3: Bon Voyage
Paul: It means have a good journey or vacation.

Do you consider yourself being on a voyage yourself when you create
your music?

Sequentia Legenda: In a way, yes, there are similarities. When I'm composing, I'm living in my own world, disconnected from our reality so to speak, travelling in my own reality. Time no longer has a hold on me, it's a notion that disappears completely, giving way to a delightful timelessness conducive to creativity. With Bon Voyage, I hope listeners will be able to travel freely and serenely in their own reality.


Track 4: Love Feeds Love
Paul: A for Sequentia Legenda short track. The sequence is fantasic.

What means love to you? How do you make this?

Sequentia Legenda: Thank you Paul for that compliment. It's not really my habit to do short tracks and this is the shortest in my discography. I have to say that this composition literally "invited" itself! In fact, it was planned from the outset that ALCYONE would consist of three tracks, as almost all my albums do. Then, spontaneously, a pressing need arose to rework an initial part. It was a bit like an initiation experience, something that upset the schedule. This composition developed with disconcerting fluidity, as if to persuade me to incorporate this unexpected title. I was really excited by the result, so I decided to add a fourth track, "Love Feeds Love".

In the end, that's how I see Love, in sharing.

 

ALCYONE under Paul Rijken’s spotlight
Topic: Equipment

Paul Rijkens: I am very interested in synthesizers and everything around them. You use mostly software synths. Arturia has created brilliant software emulations of classic synths.

Why have you chosen for this and not for hardware?

Sequentia Legenda: I have to say that when I was between 16 and 21, in my parents' basement, I had a room full of analogue synthesizers, such as the Korg PS 3200, the ARP Odyssey and the Oberheim Two Voices, to name but a few.

Later, with the advent of the MIDI standard, I parted company with these for a large number of digital synths accompanied by Cubase software. Then, like many of us, there were changes in my life and for a while I only kept the Korg DSS1 and the Roland JD800.

Then, a little over ten years ago, I discovered virtual synths and really enjoyed composing with them. Finally, looking back, I've realised that before hardware and everything else: it's the heart that's most important in sharing with listeners. It's my experience, my feelings, of course. I think that my basic knowledge of subtractive synthesis, for example, allows me to approach VST technology with a certain ease and a very precise vision of what I want to highlight. I have to say that overall I'm satisfied.

ALCYONE under Paul Rijken’s spotlight
Topic: Live

Paul Rijkens: I would love to see you play live.

Is there a chance you will perform here in The Netherlands on the E-live of E-day festival?

Sequentia Legenda: Thank you, that's very kind of you. Performing live is something very special, it's a new adventure every time, both technically and on a human level. There's the meeting with the audience, that special contact that makes it a unique moment in itself.

I was lucky enough to be able to play live during 2019, accompanied by German drummer Tommy Betzler (who himself accompanied Klaus Schulze in the mid-80s) in France, Switzerland and Germany.
I have fond memories of that.

As far as future concerts are concerned, it's possible that I'll be able to perform in the Netherlands, and I'd be delighted to do so. Ron Boots and I have been in touch and we'll see what happens. Tommy would also be up for this new adventure on stage. I've got a few imperatives in my life at the moment which mean I can't give you any precise dates. In any case, if it's not possible this year, I hope it'll be next year.

Presentation: My name is Paul Rijkens.

I come from The Netherlands and live in the beautiful ancient inner city of Alkmaar, the city of cheese.

In daily life I work for the Ministry Of Justice. My hobby is music. I love The Beatles and am a volunteer in the Beatles Museum in Alkmaar. My biggest musical love is progressive rock, especially that with (lots of) keyboards in it. I also love electronic music and even tried to make it myself a long time ago. Sine many years I have a weakness for the so-called “Berlin School of electronic music” and that is one of the reasons that I feel so drawn to the music of Sequentia Legenda. Ever since the early eighties, I write about progressive rock and electronic music: I do interviews and write reviews of albums and concerts. In the old days I did that for magazines like Sonic Report, KLEM magazine, E-dition and SI Music Magazine, nowadays I write for the Dutch magazine iO Pages in which I am called the electronic music specialist. 

MY VISION FOR THE BERLIN SCHOOL IN 2023
A heart to heart sharing

I had the great pleasure to share with you my last opus, I will try here to reveal you some aspects from behind the scenes.

ALCYONE represents for me a beautiful adventure, rich in human, spiritual and musical experiences of course. It is a setting in light, the term is appropriate, on the continuum of my musical vision.

As you may know, my music is now tuned to the frequency of 432 Hz in order to offer the purest sound worlds possible. My goal with this new creation is to continue my heart-to-heart sharing, to infuse more and more serenity in order to help you better radiate your own wholeness.

I have to say that the composition phases have unfolded overall with a pleasant fluidity. Gratitude. I wanted through the various universes composing this album, in the structural form, in the color of the harmonies, in the choice of the timbres, to deliver a connection which is the most in adequacy with my feeling. I wished a sound matter the most favourable to dreams, which is at the same time rich and ethereal and comfortable to the listening. To lay down notes tinged with light that could evoke the freedom between the dimensions of a journey that could be relived each time and in a totally personal way.  

I hope that ALCYONE and its four sound universes will accompany you during your astral and immersive peregrinations, arousing in you for a long time beautiful and sweet emotions.

I wish you lots of listening pleasure.

ALCYONE