Live From The Multiverse
Ravello, 2022
8/10
Listen to Live From The Multiverse
A very atypical listen that mashes online performance with contemporary chamber sounds, The Sonic Arts Ensemble brings musicians from 3 continents for these 5 pieces that truly defy classification.
“Into The Multiverse” opens the listen with Jacob Kopcienski on extended sax, Madeleine Shapiro handling cello and vocal sounds and Marc Ainger navigating laptop on the very curious, atmospheric lead off track, and this creativity extends to “Quintet/Trio”, where Ann Stinson’s flute and Scott Deal’s percussion contribute much to the nearly sci-fi textures.
“A Rising Tide Of Light”, the best track, lands in the middle, and recruits Norah Zuniga-Shaw’s voice, James Croson’s keys, and Berenice Llorens’ guitar for a very dreamy, psychedelic exploration of chamber prog-rock ideas, while “Octet/Sextet” makes great use of Joseph Sferra’s clarinet, Samuel Gardner’s keys and Ainger’s laptop manipulation into a very distinct electronic influenced landscape.
The final track, “Two Worlds”, showcases Andreas Weixler’s laptop, guitar and singing bowl, as well as Se-Lien Chuang’s yangqin, voice and mouth organ in the ominous and very iconoclastic delivery that you can’t not admire.
A journey that includes composed scores and freely structured pieces that stem from ensemble improvisation, there just isn’t a moment here that’s predictable, and that’s a big part of the charm.
Travels well with: The Music Of Jeffrey Jacob- Sequoias; Rain Worthington- Passages Through Time