Released April 2025 | Astropi Label
In the evolving landscape of contemporary music, where genres blur and emotion guides innovation, La Rencontre, the latest release by Brice Soniano Ensemble, stands as a truly immersive sonic experience. This is not just an album—it’s a meditative journey, a ritual in sound, and a profound musical encounter.
La Rencontre — A Tapestry of Contemporary Sound
La Rencontre, meaning “The Encounter,” offers exactly that: a convergence of musical languages, personal inspiration, and cultural influence. It blends elements of neo-classical minimalism, ambient textures, experimental jazz, and cinematic composition into a cohesive whole. This soundscape invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and engage with music in a deeply emotional and intentional way.
With its elegant pacing and subtle power, the album creates space—for contemplation, imagination, and emotional resonance. It is as much about what is played as it is about what is left unsaid.
A Story Told by Strings, Skin, and Silence
At the heart of the ensemble is Brice Soniano’s double bass, which takes center stage—not merely as a harmonic foundation but as a poetic storyteller. His playing is lyrical, expressive, and unafraid to occupy silence.
The ensemble includes:
- Brice Soniano – double bass
- Lionel Malric – piano and prepared piano, offering spectral textures and rhythmic experimentation
- Toma Gouband – percussive soundscapes with organic, primal rhythm
- Oene van Geel – viola, imbuing the music with both tenderness and tension
Together, they create an ever-evolving sonic dialogue that defies genre labels. Their performance feels intuitive, ritualistic, and alive. Fans of Arvo Pärt, Nils Frahm, or Philip Glass will find familiar emotional touchpoints, but the Brice Soniano Ensemble creates something wholly unique.
Tracks Inspired by Dreams, Ritual, and Connection
Each of the three tracks on La Rencontre feels like a chapter in an intimate, dreamlike narrative:
- “Angel Song” offers lyrical grace and emotional stillness
- “The Ritual” explores hypnotic structure and spiritual atmosphere
- The final track, inspired by a dream recounted by Soniano’s wife, closes the album with a surreal and profoundly personal tone
The compositions draw on cross-cultural influences, educational insights, and lived experience—including Soniano’s time with the Baka people in Cameroon. The result is a body of work grounded in authenticity and driven by the belief in music as a tool for healing and human connection.
Who is La Rencontre For?
It resonates with:
- The audiophile curating deep-listening rituals
- The seeker who uses music as a path to emotional or spiritual exploration
- The collector who values rare and intentional work
- The composer or artist looking for inspiration beyond the mainstream
- The listener who treasures music that lingers in the mind and body long after it ends
If you are drawn to contemporary chamber music, experimental soundscapes, and meditative, immersive listening experiences,
La Rencontre belongs on your radar.
“La Rencontre is not just music. It’s an encounter—with your inner world, with memory, and with the sacredness of sound.”
– Brice Soniano
