A Musical Experience: feu doux at the MMFA

Starting June 12, the galleries housing the Old European Masters will be bathed in the dream-like music of “Paix la la” (Part I and Part II), an instrumental soundscape by duo feu doux.

Composed especially to accompany visitors as they tour the galleries on the second, third, and fourth floors of the Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion for Peace (Part I) and as they take a break in the adjacent Atrium (Part II), “Paix la la” is a fluid work of music featuring asymmetrical sound loopings.

The composition was greatly inspired by the meandering aspect of the venue. How could the music accompany the visitor without taking away from their experience? The idea was to inhabit the space as discreetly as possible. There’s something almost sacred about the galleries in the Pavilion for Peace. On the other hand, the Atrium draws us back to reality, with its views opening onto the outside world. It’s a contemporary space that’s both a transition from one floor to the next, and also a space to pause, which is why we opted to broaden the musical spectrum for this part of the Museum.

The title of the musical composition is both a nod to the name of the pavilion (paix = peace) and to the “la la la” people sing along when they don’t know the words to a song. More than ever in these troubled times, peace is a song we need to relearn. The music of feu doux is an invitation to slow down. “Paix la la” or “Paix là et là”—here and now—like a collective desire.

– feu doux