Correctly configured, the Portugese ensemble Octopus is an octet, and though named after the most common of the breed, this 8-tentacled orchestration of strings, flute, trumpet, piano, guitar, electronics and percussion, all using extended techniques, slides deftly and with incredible restraint through a large, detailed dark-water work of electroacoustic improvisation.
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Sample The Album:
Ernesto Rodrigues-viola
Yu Lin Humm-cello
Paulo Curado-flute
Ana Piosik-trumpet
Andre Hencleeday-piano, psaltery
Miguel Almeida-classical guitar
Carlos Santos-electronics
Carlos Godinho-percussion
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UPC: 5609063404647
Label: Creative Sources
Catalog ID: cs464
Squidco Product Code: 24758
Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2017
Country: Portugal
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold
Recorded live at O'culto da Ajuda, Lisbon, Portugal, on June 22nd, 2017, by Miguel Azguime. .
Correctly configured, the Portugese ensemble Octopus is an octet, and though named after the most common of the breed, this 8-tentacled orchestration of strings, flute, trumpet, piano, guitar, electronics and percussion, all using extended techniques, slides deftly and with incredible restraint through a large, detailed dark-water work of electroacoustic improvisation. Most of the players are Creative Sources regulars, and years of working together these musicians almost telepathically anticipate the movement of each other. Their patient development of this work is remarkable, allowing space and silence to envelop the sound as they carefully move forward, like their proverbial octopus cautiously assessing each transition in a careful slide along the ocean floor.
The attentive listener is rewarded by the sliding interactions of each tentacular motion, as it progresses and comes to a rest guided by horns and strings into deep water silence. It's beautiful collective improvisation and a great example of the work Rodrigues and company have been evolving over the last two decades, a kind of organic collective improvisation that has developed a unique and consistent voice. That they can perform this kind of improvisation live, here caught at O'culto da Ajuda in Lisbon in 2017, is a testament to the dedication of their effort, and a fitting tribute to the name of their collective.
Artist Biographies
• Show Bio for Ernesto Rodrigues "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." ^ Hide Bio for Ernesto Rodrigues • Show Bio for Yu Lin Humm Cellist Yu Lin Humm is a member of String Theory and Suspensão. She studied music at the Accademia Internazionale della Musica in the field of study of classical music. ^ Hide Bio for Yu Lin Humm • Show Bio for Paulo Curado "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." ^ Hide Bio for Paulo Curado • Show Bio for Andre Hencleeday "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." ^ Hide Bio for Andre Hencleeday • Show Bio for Miguel Almeida "Guitarist Miguel Almeida is also a researcher and educator, locate in the Lisbon area of Portugal. He is associated with Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Conservatório de Música de Sintra, and was educated at Universidade Nova de Lisboa." ^ Hide Bio for Miguel Almeida • Show Bio for Carlos Santos "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." ^ Hide Bio for Carlos Santos • Show Bio for Carlos Godinho "Carlos Godinho is a Portuguese percussionist, a member of Band À Part, Diceros, Octopus, Variable Geometry Orchestra, and Zarabatana." ^ Hide Bio for Carlos Godinho
6/5/2024
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6/5/2024
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6/5/2024
Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.
6/5/2024
Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.
6/5/2024
Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.
Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.
Track Listing:
1. Vulgaris 38:04
Creative Sources
Improvised Music
Free Improvisation
Electro-Acoustic
Electro-Acoustic Improv
European Improvisation and Experimental Forms
Octet Recordings
Staff Picks & Recommended Items
Search for other titles on the label:
Creative Sources.
 | Okura / Rodrigues / Rodrigues / Buder Your Dramatic Joy (Creative Sources) |
| 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. | |
 | Claman / Rodrigues / Rodrigues / Tallone Three Shadows (Creative Sources) |
| Berlin recordings from the lowercase chamber improvising string quartet of New Zealand violinist Sarah Claman, Portuguese violist Ernesto Rodrigues and cellist son based in Berlin, Guilherme Rodrigues, with Swiss sound artist Caroline Cecilia Tallone on electroacoustic hurdy gurdy & amplified objects, exploring three shadow aspects of "Umbra", "Penumbra" and "Antumbra". | |
 | 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 Teufelmuzik (Creative Sources) |
| Portugal's suspenseful reductionist improvising ensemble, blending acoustic and electronic instruments in delicately detailed motion, heard in this live recording at SMUP in Parede from Ernesto Rodrigues (viola), Nuno Torres (sax), Bruno Parrinha (bass clarinet), Luisa Goncalves (piano), Flak (electric gutiar), Joao Madeira (bass), Carlos Santos (analog synth) and Jose Oliveira (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 / Parrinha / Flak / Santos Die Zwitscher-Maschine (Creative Sources) |
| Referencing Twittering Machine, a 1922 painting by Paul Klee that depicts a group of birds on a wire connected to a hand-crank, interpreted as as a visual representation of the mechanics of sound, the ea-improvising quartet of Ernesto Rodrigues (viola), Bruno Parrinha (bass clarinet), Flak (electric guitar) and Carlos Santos (modular synth) present three hi-tension improvisations. | |
 | Rodrigues / Stoffner / Parrinha / Madeira Altered Egos (Creative Sources) |
| A highly interactive and textural set of chamber-oriented free improvisations with an often pointillistic approach from the quartet of Portuguese improvisers Ernesto Rodrigues on viola & crackle box, Bruno Parrinha on clarinet & alto saxophone, Joao Madeira on double bass with Swiss electric guitarist Florian Stoffner, in three detailed and engaging conversations. | |
 | da Rocha / Rodrigues / Levin / Madeira Hoya (Creative Sources) |
| Referencing the asian evergreen shrub "Hoya" through a series of solos, duos and quartets between Portuguese string players Maria da Rocha on violin, Ernesto Rodrigues on viola and Joao Madeira on double bass with visiting US bassist Daniel Levin on cello, first in four solo performances of remarkable technique, then permutations of duos, culminating in two quartet improvisations. | |
 | Rodrigues / Wassermann / Rodrigues L'Age De L'Oreille (Creative Sources) |
| Ute Wassermann adds a unique expressiveness to this Berlin studio session, bringing her impressive talents as a free improvising vocalist along with her bird calls and objects, providing an unusual yet extremely complementary foil to the intertwined strings of the father/son collaboration of violist Ernesto Rodrigues and cellist Guilherme Rodrigues; idiosyncratically wonderful! | |
 | Rodrigues / Rodrigues / Torres / von Schlippenbach / Kellers Conundrum (Creative Sources) |
| Part of the 2022 trio tour of violinist Ernesto Rodrigues, cellist Guilherme Rodrigues and saxophonist Nuno Torres is this studio recording in Berlin with free jazz legendary pianist Alexander von Schlippenbach and drummer/percussionist Willi Kellers, each of the 9 improvisations named for mythical beasts, appropriate to the fearsome force of these five masterful players. | |
 | Rodrigues / Parrinha / McDonas / Flak / Oliveira The Fleeting Nature Of Time (Creative Sources) |
| Excellent pacing with introspective richness and detail through five improvisations, as US pianist Thollem McDonas joins Portuguese improvisers Ernesto Rodrigues on viola, Bruno Parrinha on alto clarinet, Flak on acoustic guitar and Jose Oliveira on percussion for this studio recording in Lisbon, each passage reflecting a word from the title; inspired and beautiful. | |
 | 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". | |
 | Flak / Guilherme Rodrigues / Bruno Parrinha / Ernesto Rodrigues Aeon (Creative Sources) |
| The cosmological concept of the aeon, the conflict between matter and spirit, is explored in eight "Chronicles" of collective free improvisation using impressive technique and concentrative interaction from the Portuguese quartet of Flak on acoustic guitar, Guilherme Rodrigues on cello, Bruno Parrinha on bass clarinet and Ernesto Rodrigues on violin. | |
 | Rodrigues, Ernesto / Michel Stawicki / Bruno Parrinha / Joao Madeira D'improvviso (Creative Sources) |
| An 8-part studio improvisation in Lisbon, 2022 from Portuguese musicians Ernesto Rodrigues on viola, Bruno Parrinha on flute & bass clarinet and Joao Madeira on double bass in a quartet with French tenor saxophonist Michel Stawicki, sometimes introspective and moody through highly detailed playing but building to periods of tumultuous and exciting activity. | |
 | 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. | |
 | Variable Geometry Orchestra There's Always Someone Who Says No (Creative Sources) |
| One of the largest ensembles associated with Creative Sources, merging acoustic and electronic improvisers, this conduction by violist Ernesto Rodrigues at Torre Do Tombo in Lisbon in 2023 was the opening for an exhibition about the struggle of college students against the Portuguese dictatorship during the years 1970-74, leading to the Carnation Revolution. | |
 | Garcia / Moimeme / Reviriego / Rodrigues / Santos Mars Reveri (Creative Sources) |
| An intense album of pyschedelic and subliminally detailed electroacoustic improvisation from the Portuguese quintet of Miguel A. Garcia on electronics, Abdul Moimeme on guitar & metals, Alex Reviriego on double bass, Ernesto Rodrigues on piano harp & viola and Carlos Santos on electronics, a powerful live set recorded in 2018 at Le Larraskito Kluba in Rekalde, Bilbao. | |
 | Rodrigues, Ernesto / Bruno Parrinha / Johannes von Buttlar Whispers And Reveries (Creative Sources) |
| The title an apt description of the furtive intercourse between these three Portuguese improvisors -- Ernesto Rodrigues on viola & crackle box (an electronic sound generator), Bruno Parrinha on bass clarinet & alto saxophone, Johannes von Buttlar on percussion -- recording in the studio for 10 improvisations of understated but highly detailed free improvisation. | |
 | Rodrigues, Ernesto / Nuno Torres / Johannes von Buttlar Cosmic Collision (Creative Sources) |
 | Rodrigues / Rodrigues / Madeira / Taylor / Parrinha / Taubenfeld / Carmelo / Trinite A Tale Unfolds (Creative Sources) |
| In four parts this primarily acoustic octet of Lisbon improvisers evolve a deceptive narrative of collective interaction, highly textured through rich combinations that emerge and subside throughout the natural development of their converstations; with Ernesto & Guilherme Rodriguez, João Madeira, Noel Taylor, Bruno Parrinha, Ziv Tuabenfeld, Guilherme Carmelo and Monsieur Trinite. | |
 | Bechegas, Carlos / Ernesto Rodrigues / Carlos Santos Echoing The Chorus Of Life (Creative Sources) |
| Lisbon contemporary flutist and improviser Carlos Bechegas, an associate of Carlos Zingaro and his electroacoustic trio, joins violist Ernesto Rodrigues and long-time collaborator Carlos Santos in a uniquely electronic, chamber-oriented, mysteriously crepuscular improvisation captured live at Casa do Comum, Lisbon, Portugal during the 2024 "SpectraLx" event. | |
 | Kita / Uebele / Rodrigues ArZt (Creative Sources) |
 | Rodrigues/ Rodrigues / Barbiero (The) Nature (Of Things) Likes To Hide (Creative Sources) |
| Recorded over a 3 year period, the trio of Portuguese string improvisers Ernesto Rodrigues on viola and Guilherme Rodrigues on cello met with New Haven, Connecticut double bassist & synth player Daniel Barbiero, developing this detailed, two part lowercase acoustic improvisation with a spacious, patient feeling that interacts with its ambient environment. | |
 | Rodrigues / Rodrigues / Torres / von Buttlar Leipzig (Creative Sources) |
| Named for the Leipzig, Poland location in which this live concert was recorded, the acoustic free improvising quartet of Ernesto Rodrigues on viola, Guilherme Rodrigues on cello, Nuno Torres on alto saxophone, and Johannes von Buttlar on percussion, explore extended ranges and approaches to their instrument in these building and detailed dialogs. | |
 | Popovskiy, Andrey / Ernesto Rodrigues / Nuno Torres Ululo (Creative Sources) |
 | Rodrigues / Parrinha / Madeira Into the Wood (Creative Sources) |
| Working together in a variety of setting and ensembles--Variable Geometry Orchestra, Suspensao, groupings with Hernani Faustino & Jose Oliveira, with Michel Stawicki, and with onsieur Trinite--the core trio of Ernesto Rodrigues on viola, Bruno Parrinha on bass clarinet and Joao Madeira on double bass, is heard in three studio improvisations of dark woods explorations. | |
