E.S. Posthumus
| Company type | Independent musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Helmut Vonlichten, Franz Vonlichten |
| Defunct | 2010 |
| Fate | Discontinued after Franz Vonlichten's death |
| Products | Albums, singles |
E.S. Posthumus was an independent musical ensemble known for creating a unique blend of 21st-century classical and epic music, merging popular percussion rhythms with orchestral and electronic elements. Their compositions were influenced by Pythagorean philosophy, which interprets music as the unification of contrasting forces. The abbreviation E.S. means "Experimental Sounds," while Posthumus, derived from Latin meaning "born after the father's death" or "last," reflects their inspiration rooted in historical influences.
Career
Established in 2000 by siblings Helmut and Franz Vonlichten, who received piano instruction from their mother, the pair fused Franz's professional studio background with Helmut's academic training in archaeology from UCLA. Their music found extensive placement in film trailers and television productions, culminating in three album releases.
On July 22, 2010, it was revealed that Franz had died two months earlier. Helmut confirmed that although several unreleased tracks remained—including the single "Christmas Eve," which was released in November 2010—the group would discontinue future projects. In November 2011, Helmut introduced a new musical venture called Les Friction, launching with the song "Torture."
Unearthed
Unearthed marked E.S. Posthumus' first album, initially available online through CD Baby in January 2001. It achieved the distinction of becoming the third highest-selling album in CD Baby’s history, prompting a broader retail reissue in May 2005 via Wigshop and 33rd Street Records/Bayside Distribution. The album's signature sound includes performances by the Northwest Sinfonia alongside contributions from artists such as Pedro Eustache, Michael Landau, Matt Laug, Lance Morrison, Davy Spillane, and Efrain Toro. Tracks from Unearthed have been frequently selected for use in film trailers and television programs due to their dynamic builds suited for dramatic sequences.
Cartographer
The group's sophomore album, Cartographer, was released in early 2007 following a delay from its initially scheduled 2006 launch. The postponement is believed to be connected to the inclusion of Sans into the ensemble, an addition that Helmut Vonlichten has praised.
Makara
Makara, E.S. Posthumus’ third studio album, comprises 15 tracks and was made available for digital download on February 2, 2010, through platforms such as iTunes, Amazon MP3, and CD Baby. It appeared on eMusic slightly earlier on January 26, 2010. A vinyl edition of the album is also expected.
Rise to Glory
Released in September 2005, Rise to Glory features guest appearances by rappers DJ Quik and Bizarre from D12. This single serves as an extended remix of Posthumus Zone, which has been recognized as the theme music for NFL on CBS since 2003.
Run This Town/Posthumus Zone
For the CBS broadcast of Super Bowl XLIV, E.S. Posthumus collaborated with hip hop artist Jay-Z to produce remixes of both Run This Town and Posthumus Zone.
Christmas Eve
The single Christmas Eve, released in November 2010, serves as a tribute to Franz Vonlichten of E.S. Posthumus. Early in 2010, the Vonlichten brothers initiated a holiday-themed project aimed at reinterpreting traditional seasonal songs with a novel perspective. This particular track was the sole piece begun prior to Franz’s death in May 2010.
In a Facebook update from November 2010, Helmut shared that although the project was still in preliminary stages, it had progressed to include lyrics, a piano draft, and a rough vocal recording. He brought arranger Jeremy Lubbock on board to complete the piece, incorporating Franz’s unfinished vocal into the final production.
Christmas Eve stands as the final creation released under E.S. Posthumus and represents the last recording session involving both Vonlichten brothers before Franz’s passing.