Charlemagne Palestine

 
Charlemagne Palestine (born Charles Martin ni 1947 in Brooklyn, New York) wrote intense, ritualistic music in the 1970s, intended by the composer to rub against audiences' expectations of what is beautiful and meaningful in music. A composer-performer, he always performed his own works as soloist. His earliest works were compositions for carillon and electronic drones, and he is best known for his intensely performed piano works. He also performs as a vocalist. Palestine's performance style is ritualistic; he generally surrounds himself (and his piano) with stuffed animals, smokes large numbers of kretek (Indonesian clove cigarettes) and drinks cognac.

See also Marie Canet: Palestine, first name CharlemagneMeshugga Land.

 
Charlemagne Palestine - The God Bear Archives 2 (2 CD)
2024
Matière Mémoire
currently out of stock
Unreleased tapes from the 70s and 80s.
Charlemagne Palestine - DINGGGDONGGGDINGGGzzzzzzz ferrrr SSSOFTTT DIVINI TIESSSSS!!!!!!!!! (vinyl LP)
2024
Blank Forms - Records
Two mesmerizing works for carillon, the keyboard-controlled bell tower derived in the 16th century.
Charlemagne Palestine - The God Bear Archives 1 (2 CD)
2023
Matière Mémoire
Unreleased tapes from the 70s and 80s.
Charlemagne Palestine - ਚੈਨਲKAANALचैनलRÁÐעָרוּץ - Godbear Series 004 (vinyl LP)
2022
Matière Mémoire
An original meeting, powerful and explosive, between Charlemagne Palestine, Eric Thielemans and Oren Ambarchi.
Charlemagne Palestine - October 24, 1975 (CD)
2021
Matière Mémoire
A 1975 unreleased Strumming performance in Antwerp.
Charlemagne Palestine - MMXX-06 - VVVOOOODDDOOOO DDDDOOOOODDDDDOOOOO (vinyl EP)
2020
Matière Mémoire
An extended drone work performed on organ, building from a peaceful single note to a harmonically rich and subtile combination of tones.
Charlemagne Palestine - P V T (vinyl LP)
2020
Matière Mémoire
In October 2013, Charlemagne Palestine, Mika Vainio and Eric Thielemans got together for the first time, meeting each other at Les Ateliers Claus in Brussels, for a 4 day residency and 2 live performances. The music of the residency takes, edited by Thielemans, mixed and mastered by Frederic Allstadt, is now released on Matière Mémoire and Godbear, Charlemagne Palestine's archival music label.
Charlemagne Palestine - Dinggg Donggg Dinggg Vs Singgg Songg Singgg (vinyl LP)
2018
Matière Mémoire
26.00 20.00 €
Singing songs while playing ding dongs, Charlemagne Palestine's solo voice over the bells of his studio carillon is a premiere in his recorded works, and possibly the first voice/carillon record in musical history. All the little shamanic stuffed deities inhabiting the carillon added their souls to the spirit of the reverberating songs, including a song in memory of Mika Vainio.
Charlemagne Palestine - Dinggg Donggg Dinggg Vs Singgg Songg Singgg - Limited Artist Edition (vinyl LP + 7\'\')
2018
Matière Mémoire
(last copies available!)
Singing songs while playing ding dongs, Charlemagne Palestine's solo voice over the bells of his studio carillon is a premiere in his recorded works, and possibly the first voice/carillon record in musical history. All the little shamanic stuffed deities inhabiting the carillon added their souls to the spirit of the reverberating songs, including a song in memory of Mika Vainio. This Artist Edition includes an additional 7" record, engraved with an exclusive track on one side and etched with a Charlemagne Palestine drawing on the other.
Charlemagne Palestine - GesammttkkunnsttMeshuggahhLaandtttt
2016
English edition
Sternberg Press - Monographs and artists' books
This catalogue documents Charlemagne Palestine's eponymous solo exhibition, including his early video works, sculptures, paintings, installations, and sound scores.
Charlemagne Palestine - Youuu + Mee = Weeee (vinyl LP)
2015
Sub Rosa
sold out
The first recorded collaboration between Charlemagne Palestine (piano Bösendorfer, orgue Yamaha and voice) and Rhys Chatham (trumpet, loop pedal, electric guitar).
Charlemagne Palestine - Youuu + Mee = Weeee (3 CD)
2015
Sub Rosa
166 minutes with Charlemagne Palestine (piano Bösendorfer, orgue Yamaha and voice) and Rhys Chatham (trumpet, loop pedal, electric guitar).
Charlemagne Palestine - Rubhitbangklanghear Rubhitbangklangear (2 CD)
2013
Sub Rosa
Second time in 20 years Charlemagne Palestine and Z'ev are performing together / first time they are recording it... (unreleased material from Palestine's lair, a place now called Charleworld, where both fellows spent 3 days in June 2010).
Charlemagne Palestine - Rubhitbangklanghear Rubhitbangklangear (LP)
2013
Sub Rosa
Second time in 20 years Charlemagne Palestine and Z'ev are performing together / first time they are recording it... (unreleased material from Palestine's lair, a place now called Charleworld, where both fellows spent 3 days in June 2010).
Charlemagne Palestine - Strumming Music for Piano, Harpsichord & Strings Ensemble (3 CD)
2010
Sub Rosa
sold out
Charlemagne Palestine's most contemporary music work.
Charlemagne Palestine - From Etudes to Cataclysms - For the Doppio Borgato (2 CD)
2008
Sub Rosa
One of Charlemagne Palestine's most important work to date: an impressive composition of more than 140 minutes based on an unique instrument, a double piano on which one keyboard is played by the feet.


 top of page