"Classical techno" may sound more like an oxymoron than an actual type of music, but State College resident Max Fomitchev is working to make the combination a reality.

In his most recent UltraMax CD, Technamericana, Fomitchev adds a techno spin to music that ranges from the classic big-band Charleston to the Willie Nelson hit "Crazy for Loving You." He composed his favorite track, the J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired "Arwen's Song," after hearing the original ballad sung in the Elvish language.

"When I heard the song, I immediately wanted to do a dance remix and give it a strong rhythm," Fomitchev said. "I like uplifting music."

Though formally trained on the piano for seven years, Fomitchev, who was born and raised in Russia, has not always made music a top priority in his life. After graduating from the Moscow Institute of Electronic Engineering in 1997 with a master's degree in computer engineering, Fomitchev moved to the United States and put music behind him altogether for five years.

"I always liked dance music, but it took me a while to get used to it," he said.

By now, Fomitchev is more than "used to it," as he has released five trance CDs since his interest in music sparked again in 2001.

Though his first albums featured only short lyrical phrases or none at all, Technamericana features several songs with more substantial lyrics, including the original "Letting Go" and "So Sweet," a new version of the Charleston.

Currently Fomitchev is working with State College resident Todd Hill to produce a remake of the classic folk song "House of the Rising Sun." Hill was a performer for 18 years, playing in lounges all over the Mideast United States before ending his career eight years ago.

"It is quite a bit different from anything I've ever done," Hill said of their recent effort. "I never listened to electronica much, but he gave me his CD, and I was pleasantly surprised. I think that classical feelings mixed with electronica is pretty interesting and a worthy art form."

When Fomitchev first moved to the area in April, he discovered that one of his fans, Nishant Raizada (graduate-mechanical engineering), was a student at Penn State.

Though Raizada is new to the trance genre, he began listening to UltraMax as a way to focus on his homework.

"The music helps me concentrate on my work because it separates me from everything," Raizada said. "When I'm not getting anywhere in my research, I listen to his music frequently. The beats are fast, so it peps you up and keeps you going."

Though Fomitchev owns the necessary equipment, he has yet to schedule any live performances in the area.

"I am waiting for the opportunity," Fomitchev said. "My bigger goal is to perform with a real orchestra."