The Squid's Ear Magazine


Variable Geometry Orchestra: Maat Mons (Creative Sources)

"As always, the geometry is of the n-dimensional sort. The number of dimensions that vary is impressive: membership, instrumentation, location, duration, and so on. Certainly, the overall shape of each VGO performance is highly variable...
 

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Personnel:



Ernesto Rodrigues-stroh violin, conduction

Maria do Mar-violin

Miguel Mira-cello

Joao Madeira-double bass

Abdul Moimeme-classical guitar, clarinet

Andre Hencleeday-tenor psalterium, radio

Maria Radich-voice

Tiago Varela-melodica

Paulo Curado-flute

Nuno Torres-alto saxophone

Jose Lencastre-alto saxophone

Bruno Parrinha-clarinet, alto clarinet

Paulo Galao-bass clarinet

Guillermo Torres-pocket trumpet

Eduardo Chagas-trombone

Vitor Rua-electric guitar

Manuel Guimaraes-piano

Carlos Santos-synthesizer

Nuno Moita-turntables

Monsieur Trinite-percussion

Pedro Santo-percussion


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UPC: 5609063404067

Label: Creative Sources
Catalog ID: cs406
Squidco Product Code: 23905

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2017
Country: Portugal
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold
Live recording at O'Culto da Ajuja during the CreativeFest #10, in Lisbon, Portugal, on November 19th, 2016, by Miguel Azguime.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"As always, the geometry is of the n-dimensional sort. The number of dimensions that vary is impressive: membership, instrumentation, location, duration, and so on. Certainly, the overall shape of each VGO performance is highly variable, like a murmuration of birds, as I alluded to in a review of the earlier Lulu Auf dem Berg. VGO remains a compelling attempt to harness the timbral and dynamic range of an orchestra while maintaining the flexibility in structure and individual freedoms afforded by improvisation. Maat Mons is scaled back from the enormous undertaking of Quasar, released earlier in 2016 and featuring the largest group on record to date, with 46 members. The 21 musicians on Maat Mons are less than half that number, but as with all VGO performances, a mere head count reveals little about the direction the music will take. The piece rouses slowly, maintaining a low volume and a jittery, charged air of possibility as small groups of players make exploratory advances. Butsoon Rodrigues changes tack, and Maat Mons harkens back to the bigger free jazz-inspired sound of the group's earliest recordings, as tapping cymbals and an animated bass line sketch out a shaky groove and the horns begin to raise their voices. As the music becomes more dynamic, illusions of figure and ground emerge in the unplaceable, shuffling timbre of nearly two dozen musicians. The listener is moved through the space in which the musicians are performing, one instrument momentarily the focal point, only to be subsumed in the din and the focus shifted to someone else, the foreground and background in constant flux. Three-quarters through the performance, the music drops to near silence, irregular dribbles of piano over a canvass of radio static and Maria Radich's sibilant whispers."-Dan Sorrells, The Free Jazz Collective


Artist Biographies

"He has been playing the violin for 30 years and in that time has played all genres of music ranging from contemporary music to free jazz and improvised music, live and in the studio.

His main interest shifted towards contemporary improvised and composed music.

The relationship with his instruments is focused in sonic and textural elements.

Electronic music was an early influence on his approach to violin playing, which challenges traditional romantic concepts of the violin/viola through use of preparations and micro tuning.

Active in different settings on the Portuguese scene for free improvised music, both as a collaborator and in leading his own groups.

Music for Dance, Cinema, Video and Performance.

Has created the record label Creative Sources Recordings in 1999, which mainly concentrates on releasing experimental and electro-acoustic music."

-Creative Sources (http://creativesourcesrec.com/creative_artists.html)
11/18/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.

"Maria do Mar, violinist born in Lisbon, has a path marked by classical music and teaching, although she has always collaborated with artists from other musical areas. Since 2012, following her participation in the "Atelier de Improvisation et Direction de Ensemble in real-time (Conduction)" directed by Butch Morris, she began to explore free improvisation and other languages ​​in the contemporary music scene, taking part in a violin and Electric bass duo with the musician and composer Ricardo A. Freitas.She has developed improvisational work with various musicians, performing in concerts, cycles and festivals, with names like Carlos "Zingaro",., Joana Guerra, Ricardo Jacinto, Christophe Berthet, Maria Radich. In the context of the Moving Theater she participated in the Suzuki workshop / Viewpoints by Lowri Jenkins and Jane Pupo. She is seeking a broader musical universe and the development of a personal language, where the musical boundaries are fading and new possibilities opens up with no creative limits."

-Zaratan (Translated by Google) (http://www.zaratan.pt/en/event/74)
11/18/2024

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"Born in 1958, studying guitar at the Academy of Music Amateurs, in the 70s, with Prof. Nagy. In the late 70 studying bass at the Hot Club, in the early '80s, with Prof. Zé Eduardo.

"Intrigue and permanent and persistent unease with stringed instruments, jazz and improvisation itself. During the last forty years, in concert, in private or in the studio, I had the honor of having played and learned (chronologically) Nuno Grande, Armindo Neves, Emilio Robalo, Celso Carvalho, António Ferro, Arthur Costa, Ze Bitch John Vinegar, John Lucas, Francisco Medina, Abdul moimeme, Rashiim Ausar Sahu, Patrick Brennan, Rodrigo Amado, Scott Fields, Francisco Trindade, Ernesto Rodrigues, Harvey Sorgen and Joe Giardullo.

Today, honor me play (and perpetuate my restlessness) with Rodrigo Amado, Abdul moimeme, John Lucas, Joseph Bruno Parrinha, John Parrinha, João Pedro Viegas, Alipio Carvalho Neto, Gabriel Ferrandini, Ernesto Rodrigues, Armando Gonçalves Pereira, Hernani Faustino, Rodrigo Pinheiro, Zé Lencastre, Louis Desirat, Peter Castello Lopes, Luís Lopes, Luís Vicente, Philip Sousa, Pedro Roxo, Johannes Krieger, George Lamprey, Marcello Maggi, Paulo Curado, Diogo Leal, D' Incise, Virginia and Eduardo Chagas. With some of my friends. I share my musical day in broader bands or ensembles, with other I highlight specific musical encounters and they are my entire curriculum." "

-JACC Records (http://www.jacc-records.com/en/musicians/miguel-mira)
11/18/2024

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Joao Madeira: "I was born in Lisboa and I've dedicated most of my energy to the doublebass since I was 12. When I went to study at the Conservatório de Lisboa my role model was doublebassist João Panta Nunes, and lately my studies were oriented by Jorge Lee, at Cascais. I have a degree in Musicology, investigation work on Fado's candidature to World Immaterial Heritage by UNESCO, and coordination of the Music Department at INATEL/FNAT. Since 1999 I have a strong activity (studio and performance) in several styles and genres, but improvised music and original composition (whatever the style...) are the places where my musical language riches its higher satisfaction and plenitude. In the recordings you are about to hear it's me who plays all the instruments. My passion is at the simple act of artistic creation. For me, music is all about musicians and genuine expression! It doesn't matter the genre neither the instrument per si. In theater I have collaborations (musician, composer, actor) with Companhia do Chapitô and Artistas Unidos, amongst others. I also love books (...) I've studied aesthetics and Portuguese literature since I remember, and love to read and write poetry."

-Reverb Nation (https://www.reverbnation.com/eudemadeira/song/9496502-mejardim-joo-madeira)
11/18/2024

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"Abdul Moimême was born in Lisbon, in 1959, moving at an early age to New Mexico and later to Dublin, Ireland. He began studying the guitar at the age of 11, studying under various private teachers, in Madrid, Spain.

In 1979 he moved to Boston to study architecture, finally completing his degree at the University of Lisbon.

In the 90's he began studying the tenor saxophone with Patrick Brennan. In this period he became actively involved with Lisbon's improvised and alternative rock scenes, performing frequently with the Variable Geometry Orchestra since it's creation in 2003, as well as with various other local projects.

His main musical partners are from Lisbon and Porto, but he has also performed in public concerts with such artists as Gale Brand, George Haslam, Jon Raskin, Ken Filiano, Patrick Brennan, Steve Adams, and Wade Matthews.

In 1999 he started writing about jazz in various Portuguese publications and is currently a permanent collaborator of Jazz.pt magazine, and Publico newspaper, as a critic.

In 2006 he created Freemusic (http://freemusic.podomatic.com), a space exclusively dedicated to the promotion of Portuguese improvised music."

-Creative Sources (http://creativesourcesrec.com/creative_artists.html)
11/18/2024

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"Andre Hencleeday is interested in detail and simplicity using improvisation, field recording, acousmatic and intuitive composition as main sonic languages. He is a member of Variable Geometry Orchestra, OWWK, &c."

-https://soundcloud.com/ahencleeday (Soundcloud)
11/18/2024

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Vocalist Maria Radich is a member of the Portuguese bands: Ensemble MIA, ikb, Variable Geometry Orchestra

-Squidco 11/18/2024

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Tiago Varela is a Portuguese musician who plays melodica, and is a member of Equinox Quartet, Isotope Ensemble, Variable Geometry Orchestra.

-Squidco 11/18/2024

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"Flutist, saxophonist, improvisateur, composer.

With classical and jazz training at the Amadores de Música Academy, the Conservatório Nacional and the Portugal Hot Club school of jazz, Paulo Curado works within jazz and improvised music.

"O Lugar da Desordem" is a trio founded by Paulo in 1995, which comprises drummer Bruno Pedroso and bassist Pedro Gonçalves."

-Last.fm (https://www.last.fm/music/Paulo+Curado+E+O+Lugar+Da+Desordem/+wiki)
11/18/2024

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"Studied alto saxophone within a jazz tradition spectrum. His continuous solo experimental research explores a wide scope of sound material through the use of the extended technics. Participates in several ensembles of improvisational music, electro acoustics and reductionism. Collaborates with musicians such as, Ernesto Rodrigues, Ricardo Jacinto, Sei Miguel, Fala Mariam, João Castro Pinto, Rafael Toral, Manuel Mota, David Stackenäs, Travassos, Paulo Raposo, Carlos Santos, Shiori Usui, C. Spencer Yeh, Cyril Bondi and d'incise, and developed projects as CACTO and PinkDraft, In the recent years has been also collaborating in several different projects at the intersection of the performative areas of dance, theatre and the visual arts (PARQUE, Les Voisins, Eye Height, Adriana Sá, Beatriz Cantinho). Participates and curates experimental and community radio initiatives."

-Creative Sources (http://creativesourcesrec.com/artists/n_torres.html)
11/18/2024

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"José Lencastre, also known as Zé Lencastre, is a Lisbon, Portugal saxophonist, composer and arranger. He studied at the Hot Clube de Portugal, Chichester College of Arts(England), and Eastman Community Music School ( Rochester, NY). He Has played several festivals and venues in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Eslovakia, Hungary, Brasil, Morroco.

TSUKI - Looking For Principles In Others (2006)/// TSUKI - I Wish That Mountain Had An Eye (2007)///TSUKI - Sea Snail (2009) ///THE MOST WANTED- The Most Wanted EP (2008) ///CACIQUE97 - Colectânea Novos Talentos Fnac (2007) - EP (2007) - Cacique97 (2009) ///BA MBO - Colectânea Intolerant? Me? (2008) ///POTLATCH - Live at Fabrica (2009) ///THE GRASSPOPPERS - DUB INNA WEEK (2010)/// SOCIAL SMOKERS - MAGNETIC POETRY (2011)/// THE GRASSPOPPERS - LOVERS ROCK INNA WEEK (2011)/// COOLTOUR - COOLTOUR (2012)

He has also appeared as a guest musician recorded with Gnu, Gazua, Philharmonic Weed, Tiago Gomes&Tó Trips, Tércio Borges & os Democratas do Samba, André Sampaio e os Afromandiga, etc. He currently resides in Recife, PE - Brazil."

-Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pg/zelencastre/about/?ref=page_internal)
11/18/2024

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"Bruno Parrinha - alto sax / soprano, Clarinet Sb / Alto, flute

Around the age of 10 began playing the clarinet. At 17 he bought a flute and entered the Academy of Music where he Amateurs solfeggio and instrument with Paulo Curado for two years . Later he was always playing clarinet and tenor saxophone ( self-taught ) and at age 21 he was invited to join the band Pop Radar Gaddafi with whom he recorded . Later he was cast of musicians on the play " Vieux Carré " in teatro da Graça playing tenor sax . Spent a year on the scene . At 87 he began to attend formations of Sei Miguel resulting in vinyl LP recorded at 88 " Songs love and against terrorism ." Since then he has dedicated his commitment to free improvisation and has participated in numerous trainings and concerts with illustrious musicians including Rodrigo Amado , Rodrigo Pinheiro , Miguel Mira , João Lucas , Paulo Curado , Ernesto Rodrigues , Guilherme Rodrigues , Ulrich Mitzlaff , Manuel Guimarães Cyril Bondi , " D' Incise ," Raphael Ortiz , Nicolaus Gerwinsky , Phill Niblock , Raymond McDonald , Victor Nubla , Nuno Rebelo , Marco Franco, Gabriel Ferrandini , Hernani Faustino , Luís Lopes , José Oliveira , Carlos Santos , Carlos " Zingaro " João Pedro Viegas , Victor Rua , Abdul " moimême " , Luís Vicente , João Lancaster , Luis Gil , Paulo Pimentel , Francisco Andrade , Albert Cicera and many others.

Presently a part of groups : ARGUE, IKB , VGO , Miguel Mira Quartet , Open Mind and Puma. "

-Bruno Parrinha MySpace Page (https://myspace.com/brunoparrinha/bio)
11/18/2024

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Paulo Galão is a Lisbon, Portugal based saxophonist known for the groups, Variable Geometry Orchestra, Vitor Rua & The Metaphysical Angels.

-Squidco 11/18/2024

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Guillermo Torres plays trumpet, flugelhorn and flute, he is a member of Colectivo maDam, Nanimo, and Variable Geometry Orchestra.

-Discogs (https://www.discogs.com/artist/2347703-Guillermo-Torres)
11/18/2024

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Eduardo Chagas currently lives in Lisboa, Portugal. He is a member of IKB, Variable Geometry Orchestra, performing free Improvisation, and electroacoustic-improv.

-Squidco 11/18/2024

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"Vitor Manuel Ferreira Rua, known artistically as Vitor Rua (Mes‹o Frio, July 23, 1961) is a Portuguese musician, producer and composer.

A self-taught guitarist and composer, he has devoted much of his life to rock music, concrete, electronic, acoustic and improvised, having built a career since the 1970s, having been part of the King Fischers Band group and being one of the founders of GNR, Who would later resign publicly in a manifesto. He later founded the Telectu duo with Jorge Lima Barreto, a group that has collaborated with many leading names in improvised world music in the last thirty years."

-Wikipedia (translated by Google) (https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitor_Rua)
11/18/2024

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Portuguese pianist Manuel Guimarães is a member of Variable Geometry Orchestra, and Vitor Rua & The Metaphysical Angels. He has also released a solo album on the Creative Sources imprint.

-Squidco 11/18/2024

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"Studied painting with António Sena (Ar.Co, 1988 -1992), worked in advertising for a period of time, but nowadays works as graphic designer in corporate identity, packaging, web and audio-video production.

Started sound/music activities in 1989 when formed the VITRIOL project with Paulo Raposo, a laboratory for experimental sound actions, in a first stage with studio work followed in 1994 by live output, mainly live electronics, concrete music with a improvised or graphic score oriented approach. Uses the laptop with software written in MaxMsp, small resonant objects, microphones and piezo elements to produce a music that deals with space and its sound characteristics. Interests in "soundscape" and field recordings are a huge part of his work, for piece preparation or just for archival purposes, Always recording, events, spaces or music. Multi-channel acusmatic music and radio pieces.

Presents himself solo in site-specific audio-video works, or in duos with João Silva (video, sound, photography), "Inhabitaded Spaces" with Ricardo Guerreiro (computer, mics), "Venús Pistolletto" with Emídio Buchinho (elec. guitar, mics, objects) and trios with Ernesto Rodrigues (violin) and Guilherme Rodrigues (cello) or ZNGR electroacustic trio with Carlos "Zíngaro and Emídio Buchinho. Member of several formations, "(Des)Integração" laptop ensemble (2001-2003) or in more electroacoustic sets, uses live-electronics and sampling which is the case of "Suspensão" septep, VGO, variable geometry orchestra and specially a trio close related to the "near silence" aesthetics, with Ernesto Rodrigues (violin, harp) and Guilherme Rodrigues (cello) with already several CD releases, always with at least one international improviser guest. Presented his work in Portugal, Spain, France, UK and Germany. Worked with artists from several media: dance, performance and video. Music and sound design for video and animation. Video and sound editing for comercial projects. Played live or in recording projects throughout the years with a lot of musician and sound artists. His sound work is documented in several CD releases. Belongs to the Granular board of directors, a portuguese association for experimental art and does the image of Creative Sources label. Broadcasts "Boca Doce" show at Rádio Zero (web) and other special shows. Workshops and seminars in digital audio manipulation, Maxmsp programming and sound art practise."

-Creative Sources (http://creativesourcesrec.com/creative_artists.html)
11/18/2024

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"Nuno Moita is a portuguese sound artist, involved in experimental electronic music, playing with laptop, turntables and sampler. He is part of Whit, a quartet of turntablists, and Gigantiq, a duo with the intermedia artist, André Gonçalves."

-Discogs (https://www.discogs.com/artist/776453-Nuno-Moita)
11/18/2024

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Monsieur Trinité is based in Lisboa, Portugal, and is a member of Equinox Quartet, IKB, Potlatch, and Variable Geometry Orchestra.

-Squidco 11/18/2024

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Pedro Santo is a Lisbon, Portugal based drummer known for the groups Ensemble MIA, Variable Geometry Orchestra.

-Squidco 11/18/2024

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Track Listing:



1. Maat Mons 36:28

Related Categories of Interest:


Creative Sources
Improvised Music
Free Improvisation
European Improvisation, Composition and Experimental Forms
Electro-Acoustic
Electro-Acoustic Improv
Large Ensembles

Search for other titles on the label:
Creative Sources.


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Father and son string improvisers Ernesto Rodrigues on viola and Guilherme Rodrigues on cello join with Berlin improvisers Fumio Okura (Ensemble 222) on violin and Hannes Buder on guitar for six collective chamber free improvisations using extraordinary technique and focus, creating parallel and converging conversations that build and recede in vigorous momentum.
Rodrigues, Ernesto / Nuno Torres / Guilherme Rodrigues / Eric Bauer / Stephen Flinn
Letters to Milena
(Creative Sources)
Referencing the book Letters to Milena (Briefe an Milena) by Franz Kafka of his intense love affair with Czech journalist & writer Milena Jesenská, through four lettered parts of a subtly sophisticated set of improvisations by Ernesto Rodrigues (viola), Nuno Torres (alto sax), Guilherme Rodrigues (cello), Eric Bauer (electronics) and Stephen Flinn (percussion).
Suspensao
Serendipity
(Creative Sources)
A fortuitous 2015 concert from the lowercase chamber/ea-improv octet Suspensão, captured live at Ler Devagar Bookstore in Lisbon from Ernesto Rodrigues (viola & harp), Guilherme Rodrigues (cello), Nuno Torres (alto sax), Eduardo Chagas (trombone), Antonio Chaparreiro (guitar), Rodrigo Pinheiro (piano & melodica), Miguel Mira (bass), Carlos Santos (electronics) and Jose Oliveira (percussion).
Rodrigues, Ernesto / Bruno Parrinha / Guilherme Rodrigues
Signes Emergents
(Creative Sources)
The trio of violist Ernesto Rodrigues, cellist Guilherme Rodrigues and clarinetist Bruno Parrinha on alto & bass clarinets are captured live at Lisboa Incomum, during the 2022 Festival DME, performing two sophisticated chamber improv works, their titles translating to "The aging skies - it's all illusion" and "Pass The Bridges If It's Windy - The Flame Of The Solemnity".
Rodrigues / Parrinha / Flak / Levine
Quadruple Quadrature Questions
(Creative Sources)
While theremin & synth specialist Andrew Levine was on a 2023 tour of Portugal he met with a core trio of Creative Sources improvisers--Ernesto Rodrigues on viola & Crackle Box, Bruno Parrinha on bass clarinet & objects, Flak on electric guitar & effects--meeting in Flak's countryside studio for one detailed, extensive improvisation and 6 short works of differing sonic characters and colour.



The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

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