Frederick Rousseau
Encyclopedia
Frederick Rousseau belongs to the generation that witnessed the beginning of New Age music
and the explosion of technologic applications to the entertainment world. His musical research is based on electronic sounds that he mixes with ethnic instruments, classical orchestras and to voices of all tones, colours and provenances.
After completing his studies in electronics, he was hired by the Defense Nationale in 1978 to work on the final tests of the neutronic head, the detonator for the French atomic bomb. His playful and undisciplined personality did not fit into this austere and rigid environment. After two years, he quit.
In 1980, he met Francis Mandin, a young enthusiastic electronic music fan, who convinced him to become a partner in Music Land, a music store in Paris and a laboratory for future electronic instruments.
In 1981, after working on the finalization of the first polyphonic sequenser by MDB, he met Jean Michel Jarre
, who was looking for a musical programmer capable of manipulating this instrument for his China
Tour. With the help of this new technology, Rousseau was able to reproduce on stage all the sequences that had taken months to record, without having to use playback tapes. This unforgettable experience marked a turn in his career. Returning to Paris, his adventure continued with his participation in the recording of the live album Concerts en Chine.
Later, during this memorable year, he met Vangelis
who was recording Friends of Mr Cairo at Studio Davout in Paris. Not only did he witness the debut of the mythical duet of Jon and Vangelis, but he also became friends with another young talented musician, Jean-Philippe Rykiel
. This was the birth of a long lasting musical partnership.
The following year, Rousseau was called back to London by Vangelis
for the recording of the music score of Ridley Scott
's Blade Runner
. It was the start of a complementary work relation that was to last for over 20 years.
Returning to Paris
in 1984, he collaborated in Jean-Michel Jarre's Zoolook
album.
In 1987, in association with Thierry Rogen, he created Studio Mega considered to be the last French great recording studio. During the next four years, he record with many of the leading French artists of the time including Mylene Farmer, Jean-Louis Murat, Louis Bertignac, Indochine and Kassav.
In 1990, Jean Michel Jarre
used Rousseau again to rewrite all the intros of the music for La Défense Concert. On stage, his job was to synchronize the sequences and to reproduce live, all the special effects characteristic of Jean-Michel's music. This concert made it into the Guinness book of world records
as having the largest audience ever (2,500,000 people).
The year after, 1991, Vangelis moved to Paris and recorded the album The City at Studio Mega. This difficult production took more than 6 months. Rousseau followed the Greek composer to Holland for Eureka, the European community project initiated by François Mitterrand
on the theme of Industry and Transport. This imposing concert took place on the Rotterdam docks of the industrial port and with 800,000 people in attendance. The Show was transmitted by satellite to all European countries.
In 1992, Vangelis convinced Rousseau to leave Studio Mega in order to create Astron Studio in Neuilly and definitely seal their artistic collaboration. They consecutively record the music scores of La Peste by Luis Puenzo, Lunes de Fiel by Roman Polanski
, and 1492: Conquest of Paradise
by Ridley Scott.
After Vangelis moved back to Greece, Rousseau traveled back and forth to Athens for the production of the shows : Antigone (1993), La Nuit des Poètes (1994) and Tribute to El Greco (1995).
In spite of a very busy life, Rousseau always found time to work on his own compositions and he released MÖ in 1994, an album marked by its originality and its Asian inspiration. This music opened the way to what will be referred to as Ethno-Lounge music.
Following that was Spirit in the Woods (1995), a CD dedicated to trees, then Abyss (1996), a concept that Rousseau refers to as "no music," an experience realised with neurologists specialised in musicotheraphy. In 1997, he released Woods, an electro-wood fusion with voices from forest people and tribal rhythms.
Again, in 1997, Rousseau joined Vangelis
in Athens for the opening ceremony of the world championship of athletics. The show is presented in the antique stadium of Panathanaikos in front of 75,000 people and transmitted by satellite to an audience of 820,000,000 throughout the world. With its originality and its references to antique sports, the show thrilled the Greek public.
Meanwhile, Rousseau composed the soundtracks for 40 ethno-zoological documentary films and released in 1999 the collection of 5 albums Terres de Légendes.
Vangelis' project Mythodea
initiated in 1993, was finally completed in 2001. Rousseau coordinated the electro-orchestral show starring Jessye Norman
and Kathleen Battle
and performed by the London Metropolitan Orchestra
, directed by Blake Neely
. This music was chosen by NASA for the 2001 mission "Mars Odyssey."
In 2002, Rousseau released Travels a musical Travelog, and in 2003, Recall an exclusive release by Nature et Découvertes.
2004 was marked by Oliver Stone
's Alexander
in which Vangelis composed the soundtrack and Rousseau added a new string to his bow as musical editor. This massive project lasted over a year and represented an exceptional experience and a monumental work.
In 2005, Rousseau signed with Milan-Universal and came out with a very personal album Tears which foretold a new turn in his artistic career.
New Age music
New Age music is music of various styles intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management or to create a peaceful atmosphere in their home or other environments, and is often...
and the explosion of technologic applications to the entertainment world. His musical research is based on electronic sounds that he mixes with ethnic instruments, classical orchestras and to voices of all tones, colours and provenances.
Biography
During his adolescence, after a piano training in classical music, he tried every pop instrument (including bass guitar, drums, electric guitar and percussions) and finally chose the keyboards.After completing his studies in electronics, he was hired by the Defense Nationale in 1978 to work on the final tests of the neutronic head, the detonator for the French atomic bomb. His playful and undisciplined personality did not fit into this austere and rigid environment. After two years, he quit.
In 1980, he met Francis Mandin, a young enthusiastic electronic music fan, who convinced him to become a partner in Music Land, a music store in Paris and a laboratory for future electronic instruments.
In 1981, after working on the finalization of the first polyphonic sequenser by MDB, he met Jean Michel Jarre
Jean Michel Jarre
Jean Michel André Jarre is a French composer, performer and music producer. He is a pioneer in the electronic, ambient and New Age genres, and known as an organiser of outdoor spectacles of his music featuring lights, laser displays, and fireworks.Jarre was raised in Lyon by his mother and...
, who was looking for a musical programmer capable of manipulating this instrument for his China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
Tour. With the help of this new technology, Rousseau was able to reproduce on stage all the sequences that had taken months to record, without having to use playback tapes. This unforgettable experience marked a turn in his career. Returning to Paris, his adventure continued with his participation in the recording of the live album Concerts en Chine.
Later, during this memorable year, he met Vangelis
Vangelis
Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
who was recording Friends of Mr Cairo at Studio Davout in Paris. Not only did he witness the debut of the mythical duet of Jon and Vangelis, but he also became friends with another young talented musician, Jean-Philippe Rykiel
Jean-Philippe Rykiel
Jean-Philippe Rykiel is a French composer, arranger & musician, primarily a keyboard player. He has been blind since his birth in 1961, and is the son of fashion designer Sonia Rykiel.-Career:...
. This was the birth of a long lasting musical partnership.
The following year, Rousseau was called back to London by Vangelis
Vangelis
Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
for the recording of the music score of Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott
Sir Ridley Scott is an English film director and producer. His most famous films include The Duellists , Alien , Blade Runner , Legend , Thelma & Louise , G. I...
's Blade Runner
Blade Runner
Blade Runner is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young. The screenplay, written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, is loosely based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K...
. It was the start of a complementary work relation that was to last for over 20 years.
Returning to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1984, he collaborated in Jean-Michel Jarre's Zoolook
Zoolook
Zoolook is the fourth overall mainstream studio album by Jean Michel Jarre, and released on Disques Dreyfus in 1984. It makes extensive use of digital recording techniques and sampling. It is considered by many fans as one of Jarre's most experimental albums to date...
album.
In 1987, in association with Thierry Rogen, he created Studio Mega considered to be the last French great recording studio. During the next four years, he record with many of the leading French artists of the time including Mylene Farmer, Jean-Louis Murat, Louis Bertignac, Indochine and Kassav.
In 1990, Jean Michel Jarre
Jean Michel Jarre
Jean Michel André Jarre is a French composer, performer and music producer. He is a pioneer in the electronic, ambient and New Age genres, and known as an organiser of outdoor spectacles of his music featuring lights, laser displays, and fireworks.Jarre was raised in Lyon by his mother and...
used Rousseau again to rewrite all the intros of the music for La Défense Concert. On stage, his job was to synchronize the sequences and to reproduce live, all the special effects characteristic of Jean-Michel's music. This concert made it into the Guinness book of world records
Guinness World Records
Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records , is a reference book published annually, containing a collection of world records, both human achievements and the extremes of the natural world...
as having the largest audience ever (2,500,000 people).
The year after, 1991, Vangelis moved to Paris and recorded the album The City at Studio Mega. This difficult production took more than 6 months. Rousseau followed the Greek composer to Holland for Eureka, the European community project initiated by François Mitterrand
François Mitterrand
François Maurice Adrien Marie Mitterrand was the 21st President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra, serving from 1981 until 1995. He is the longest-serving President of France and, as leader of the Socialist Party, the only figure from the left so far elected President...
on the theme of Industry and Transport. This imposing concert took place on the Rotterdam docks of the industrial port and with 800,000 people in attendance. The Show was transmitted by satellite to all European countries.
In 1992, Vangelis convinced Rousseau to leave Studio Mega in order to create Astron Studio in Neuilly and definitely seal their artistic collaboration. They consecutively record the music scores of La Peste by Luis Puenzo, Lunes de Fiel by Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski is a French-Polish film director, producer, writer and actor. Having made films in Poland, Britain, France and the USA, he is considered one of the few "truly international filmmakers."...
, and 1492: Conquest of Paradise
1492: Conquest of Paradise
1492: Conquest of Paradise is an epic 1992 European adventure/drama film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Roselyne Bosch, which tells the story of the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus and the effect this had on the indigenous people...
by Ridley Scott.
After Vangelis moved back to Greece, Rousseau traveled back and forth to Athens for the production of the shows : Antigone (1993), La Nuit des Poètes (1994) and Tribute to El Greco (1995).
In spite of a very busy life, Rousseau always found time to work on his own compositions and he released MÖ in 1994, an album marked by its originality and its Asian inspiration. This music opened the way to what will be referred to as Ethno-Lounge music.
Following that was Spirit in the Woods (1995), a CD dedicated to trees, then Abyss (1996), a concept that Rousseau refers to as "no music," an experience realised with neurologists specialised in musicotheraphy. In 1997, he released Woods, an electro-wood fusion with voices from forest people and tribal rhythms.
Again, in 1997, Rousseau joined Vangelis
Vangelis
Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
in Athens for the opening ceremony of the world championship of athletics. The show is presented in the antique stadium of Panathanaikos in front of 75,000 people and transmitted by satellite to an audience of 820,000,000 throughout the world. With its originality and its references to antique sports, the show thrilled the Greek public.
Meanwhile, Rousseau composed the soundtracks for 40 ethno-zoological documentary films and released in 1999 the collection of 5 albums Terres de Légendes.
Vangelis' project Mythodea
Mythodea
Mythodea: Music for the NASA Mission: 2001 Mars Odyssey is a choral symphony by Greek electronic composer and artist Vangelis. Originally premiered in concert in 1993, it was published in 2001 by Vangelis' new record label Sony Classical, which also set up the NASA connection and promoted a new...
initiated in 1993, was finally completed in 2001. Rousseau coordinated the electro-orchestral show starring Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman
Jessye Norman is an American opera singer. Norman is a well-known contemporary opera singer and recitalist, and is one of the highest paid performers in classical music...
and Kathleen Battle
Kathleen Battle
Kathleen Battle , is an African-American operatic soprano known for her agile and light voice and her silvery, pure tone. Battle initially became known for her work within the concert repertoire through performances with major orchestras during the early and mid 1970s. She made her opera debut in...
and performed by the London Metropolitan Orchestra
London Metropolitan Orchestra
London Metropolitan Orchestra , founded in 1994, is a London-based studio orchestra whose primary function is to record music for film, television, and other multimedia projects...
, directed by Blake Neely
Blake Neely
Blake Neely is an American composer, arranger, orchestrator, conductor, and author. His father was a rancher and his brother Tom Neely is an artist in Los Angeles....
. This music was chosen by NASA for the 2001 mission "Mars Odyssey."
In 2002, Rousseau released Travels a musical Travelog, and in 2003, Recall an exclusive release by Nature et Découvertes.
2004 was marked by Oliver Stone
Oliver Stone
William Oliver Stone is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. Stone became well known in the late 1980s and the early 1990s for directing a series of films about the Vietnam War, for which he had previously participated as an infantry soldier. His work frequently focuses on...
's Alexander
Alexander (album)
The original film score of Alexander was composed by Vangelis and released on audio CD.The film, directed by Oliver Stone, portrays the life of Alexander the Great in an epic style that is also reflected in the score...
in which Vangelis composed the soundtrack and Rousseau added a new string to his bow as musical editor. This massive project lasted over a year and represented an exceptional experience and a monumental work.
In 2005, Rousseau signed with Milan-Universal and came out with a very personal album Tears which foretold a new turn in his artistic career.
Albums
- Music Land (with Jean-Philippe Rykiel) Promo single for the Music instrument shop
- FR2 (with Francis Rimbert) - April Orchestra vol 48
- Earth - April orchestra vol 61
- Overview - Koka Media
- Illustrator series (1990–1992)
- Mö (1994)
- Spirit in the Woods (1995)
- Abyss (1996)
- Woods (1997)
- Terres de Légendes series (1999–2000)
- Travels (2002)
- Recall (2003)
- Tears (2005)
Compilations
- Harmonia (1997)
- World Voices (1998)
- Buddha Bar III - IV - V (2000–2004)
- Private Lounge (2002)
- Asian I & II (2000–2002)
Collaborations
- Jean-Michel Jarre :
- Les Chants Magnetiques (1980)
- China Concert Tour (1981)
- Concerts en Chine (live album 1982)
- Musique pour supermarché / Music for supermarket (One copy only LP 1983)
- Zoolook (1984)
- Le Défense concert (1990)
- Vangelis :
- Blade Runner (film by Ridley Scott 1983)
- Friends of Mr Cairo (1984)
- Themes (1990)
- Oceanic (1998)
- La Peste (film by Luis Puenzo 1991)
- Rotterdam concert (1992)
- 1492, Conquest of Paradise (film by Ridley Scott 1992)
- 1492, (album 1992)
- Opening Show IAFF (1997)
- Mythodea (Concert with Jessye Norman 2001)
- Alexander (film by Oliver Stone 2004)
- Blade Runner Trilogy (album 2007)
- El Greco (album 2007)
- Paris May 1968 (album 2008)
-
- Operation Cornet de Beef
- Les Visiteurs I
- les Visiteurs II
- Les Anges Gardien
- La vengeance d'une blonde
- Les Filles du Botaniste