Ozymandias (pianist)

Ozymandias
Background information
Birth name Christophe Terrettaz
Born 6 April 1971
Switzerland
Genres Neoclassical
Occupation(s) Composer
Pianist
Instruments Piano
Years active 1996–present
Labels Ramses Records, World Serpent, Weisser Herbst
Website http://www.ozymandias.ch

Ozymandias is the name of a musical project by neo-classical Swiss pianist, Christophe Terrettaz.

Biography

Ozymandias is the pseudonym of the pianist and composer Christophe Terrettaz.

After several years studying classical piano, Christophe Terrettaz starts to compose. His first work, "Isolement", is produced in 1996 by the German label "Weisser Herbst".

His second album, "Ahara", is released in 1998 by the cult label World Serpent Distribution.

In 1999, Mark Ellis of "Elijah's Mantle" and Christophe Terrettaz collaborates on "The Soul Of Romanticism'" a spoken-word album based on poems of Shelley, Byron, Keats, Wordsworth and Coleridge. This work exposes the elements of romanticism through the voice of Ellis Mark and the music of Ozymandias.

The following year Christophe Terrettaz creates "Karnak," a series of compositions inspired by the Egyptian site of same name. The work is very well received, with Japanese director Ryuichi Hiroki choosing it as the musical theme for his movie "Vibrator", a film presented in avant-premiere to the 60th Mostra of Venice.

In September 2001, Ozymandias, through World Serpent Distribution, releases his fifth album "Layla". For this opus, Christophe Terrettaz draws inspiration from a number of films from independent cinema, including "Un soir après la guerre" of Rithy Panh, "Okaeri" of Makoto Shinozaki and "Buffalo 66" of Vincent Gallo.

Three years later Ozymandias creates his darkest album yet, "Les Doutes Eternels", a reflection on human condition and genocide.

2007 brings yet another opus, "Absolute". This seventh album of Ozymandias is animated by the aspects of the world and its people that Christophe Terrettaz admires.

In April 2008, after eight years without concerts, Ozymandias comes back on stage for two shows in Tokyo. Five months later, a new album inspired by his journeys invites you to discover his love for the Orient. The beauty and strength, depth of feelings as well as human folly is the essence of “Les Rêves Orientaux” (Oriental Dreams).

In February 2009, Christophe, invited Kelli Ali to Switzerland, to collaborate with him on an album inspired by the short stories of the Gothic horror writer, Mary Shelley, and following several sessions between London and Switzerland, this haunting collection was eventually completed,with Kelli writing and performing the lyrics and vocal arrangements and Christophe writing and performing the piano music. "A Paradise Inhabited by Devils" was released on November 2010. Two titles of this album are used in the Japanese movie “Keibetsu”.

2012 marks the release of his latest album, “Antipodes”. Produced without any promotion in order to be in harmony with the theme of the album which means completely against current market trend today. "Antipodes" is a reflection on the current world where superficial excess and money take everything in its path.

Discography

Albums

Compilations

Soundtracks

See also