Luc Ferrari Presque Rien No. 1; Societe II: Avantgarde Series

Luc Ferrari's Presque Rien No. 1; Societe II Reissued for the Avantgarde Series on 180g LP from Deutsche Grammophon: Mastered & Cut from the Original Analog Tapes at Emil Berliner Studios

Luc Ferrari’s Presque Rien No. 1 and Société II stand among the most radical works of the twentieth-century avant-garde. With Presque Rien No. 1, Ferrari pioneered the use of untreated environmental recordings as complete musical material — capturing the sounds of a Croatian fishing village at dawn to create what he called a “soundscape.” Stripped of manipulation or conventional composition, it marked a decisive shift toward sonic minimalism and ecological listening, influencing generations of experimental artists.

In stark contrast, Société II, scored for piano, percussion, and ensemble, embodies Ferrari’s politically charged, theatrical side. Written amid the social upheavals of the late 1960s, it stages a feminist allegory in which performers vie for dominance, blending structure, improvisation, and satire.

Mastered & cut from the original analog 1/4 inch 2-track master tapes by Rainer Maillard and Sidney Claire Meyer at Emil Berliner Studios.

The Avantgarde Series features original artwork and a newly designed, beautifully crafted collector’s sleeve with new liner notes by Bradford Bailey, and pressed on 180g vinyl.