Sebstian Boulter’s Carrousel

Sebastian Boulter’s sublime debut album Carrousel is released and available on Mutual Recordings store!

Carrousel is a series of six pieces composed for piano, Hammond organ, marimba, Hohner Pianet T, and cymbals. These compositions blend elements of classical, experimental, and folk music. The music departs from the traditional concept of “bread and circuses for the people,” a theme we will revisit later in this statement.The word ‘Carrousel’ originates from a tradition encountered by European crusaders in the Middle East during the 13th century, where they observed Turkish and Arab horsemen practising battle drills. These drills involved throwing clay balls filled with perfumed water at one another while on horseback. A soldier struck by a perfume ball could be identified by the scent lingering on him even a week later. The French referred to this exercise as carrousel, meaning “a little fight.” During the Middle Ages, this practice evolved in Europe into what became known as the tournament of knights.

By the late 17th century, the device we now recognise as the carousel had been developed. Early versions featured wooden horses attached to rotating beams connected to a central pole. The carousel was turned manually by a driver or powered by an animal. It quickly became popular, particularly among children and noblewomen, who found it especially appealing.

The modern carousel is not far removed from the Roman concept of “bread and circuses” for the masses. Contemporary forms of entertainment, such as amusement parks, elite sports, zoos, fashion shows, TV series, or even Eurovision, serve a similar purpose. These are strategies designed to distract people from confronting the realities of society, effectively functioning as a means to keep the public’s attention under control.

In today’s consumer society, we can easily become swept up in a whirlwind of entertainment, an overload of information, and a barrage of noise and visual pollution. As individuals, we may find ourselves reduced to bystanders—detached and uninvolved in a directionless, meaningless mainstream that leads nowhere. This, in turn, prevents us from recognising the mediocrity and monotony inherent in this artificial, man-made world.