Family Romance, LLC

Ernst Reijseger

Caldera Records proudly presents Ernst Reijseger’s scores for Werner Herzog’s “Family Romance, LLC,” “Fireball,” and “Nomad.”

In “Family Romance, LLC”, shot within just two weeks without professional actors and without a permit in Japan, Herzog tells the story of Ishii, a man who is contacted by a single mother. She wants him to pretend to be the father to her daughter Mahiro. Ishii consents. But before long, Ishii develops a real connection to the young girl and must question the morality of his actions.

“Family Romance, LLC” is like a summation of Ernst Reijseger and Werner Herzog’s work: it was recorded by the composer’s beloved ensemble featuring pianist Harmen Fraanje and vocalist Mola Sylla with Reijseger on the cello. It includes one of Herzog’s favorite pieces of music, Notturno by Franz Schubert, with Reijseger improvising an extra voice. A Gaga Muen Bwebwe had been written originally for the director’s documentary “Cave of Forgotten Dreams,” before it was recorded live in a concert in Krakow and subsequently used by Herzog in his new feature. The piece opens the film.

For Herzog’s subsequent film, “Nomad: In the Footsteps of Bruce Chatwin,” Reijseger exclusively wrote new pieces. The heart of Reijseger’s work is undeniably Ombra, a piece inspired by his previous recording Shadow (featured in “Cave of Forgotten Dreams”). Reijseger took the same chords and the same rhythm but arranged it for a large ensemble: piano, four cellos, two violins, two recorders, and two voices (Mola Sylla and Monica Akihari).

“Fireball,” a documentary about meteors and comets, was a project Reijseger was particularly passionate about and started developing, writing and even recording the music before the film was finished. All three scores are perfect examples for Reijseger and Herzog’s fruitful, inspired collaboration. While we previously released “Chronicle” as a compilation of Reijseger’s work, we are delighted to now present excerpts from three specific, recent films that underline the composer’s depth and versatility for three projects vastly different to each other.

The 67th CD-release of Caldera Records features a detailed booklet text by Stephan Eicke and elegant artwork by Luis Miguel Rojas. The CD was mastered by Niels Brrouwer and produced by Stephan Eicke and Ernst Reijseger.

C6067

All Music Composed by Ernst Reijseger
* arranged by Ernst Reijseger

CD produced by Ernst Reijseger and Stephan Eicke
Executive Producers: Stephan Eicke and John Elborg
Album Art Direction and Design by Luis Miguel Rojas

Listen to the sound clips by clicking on the links below

Family Romance, LLC
1. A Gaga Muen Bwebwe (3:39)
2. Biruta (8:17)
3. Limonaia (1:55)
4. Notturno (Franz Schubert) (3:32)*

Nomad
5. Ombra (5:12)
6. Bruce (5:56)
7. Coda for Mola (4:46)
8. Landscape A (4:36)
9. Landscape C (1:07)
10. Landscape D (2:17)
11. Landscape E (6:29)

Fireball
12. Ave Maria (5:38)*
13. Night Watch (7:21)
14. Portal to the Netherworld (2:54)
15. Stabat Mater (5:08)*
16. Tunguska (5:50)

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