The Squid's Ear Magazine
Jan 8-1, 2026: Winter Hat Sale: January 9 - January 11



Takahashi, Marie / Maria do Mar / Ernesto Rodrigues / Helena Espvall / Joao Valinho: Queen Triot (Creative Sources)

A remarkable album of masterful and wide-ranging string interaction from improviser and Creative Sources label leader Ernesto Rodrigues (viola) with active contemporary Portuguese performers Maria do Mar (violin), Helena Espvall (cello) and Berlin-based violinist of Japanese origin Marie Takahashi, accompanied by Joao Valinho on percussion & piano.
 

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Product Information:

Personnel:



Marie Takahashi-viola

Maria do Mar-violin

Ernesto Rodrigues-viola

Helena Espvall-cello

Joao Valinho-percussion, piano

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UPC: 5609063406702

Label: Creative Sources
Catalog ID: cs670
Squidco Product Code: 29761

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2020
Country: Portugal
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold
Recorded at Namouche Studio, in Lisbon, Portugal, on November 19th, 2018, by Joaquim Monte.
Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

Artist Biographies

"Marie Takahashi, modern and baroque violist, improviser was born in Sapporo, Japan, in 1985.

After her studies and career as a classical musician in Japan and in Europe she moved to Berlin in 2016. Inspired by this city she started more original and creative activities such as improvisations, collaborations with different kinds of artists and performing new arrangements of baroque pieces.

In 2018 she started experimental composition using calligraphy techniques , colors, shapes and numbers . Her debut as a composer with Reanimation Quartet had a big success.

Having baroque music as her base she builds vivid contrast of minimal , abstract and emotional sounds on it."

-Marie Takahashi Website (https://marietakahashi.info/bio/)
1/7/2026

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)
1/7/2026

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"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)
1/7/2026

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

"Helena Espvall is a cello player who is comfortable in indie rock and improvised music circles. She was born and raised in Sweden, playing guitar and cello in rock bands and a silent movie orchestra. Moving to the U.S. and settling in Philadelphia in 2000, Espvall further explored Arabic music, performed with the Amnesiac Music & Dance Ensemble, and joined the contemporary psychedelic-folk group Espers, recording the CDs Weed Tree and II with them. Her penchant for playing free jazz has resulted in collaborations with guitarist Eugene Chadbourne. She is a featured artist with saxophonist/flutist Oluyemi Thomas on his recording Before the Beginning, and with From Quagmire on Habitats in the Wound. Espvall's debut CD as a leader, Nimis & Arx, from the Pax/Fire Museum label is produced by George Korien, where she plays cello, guitar, and recorder, sings and uses electronics. Other artists she has worked with include Katt Hernandez, Lukas Ligeti, Masaki Batoh, Gui Mallon, Nick Castro, Bert Jansch, Sharron Kraus, Fürsaxa, Vashti Bunyan, Samara Lubelski, Marissa Nadler, Damon & Naomi, Arborea, Curia, Golden Ball, the Valerie Project, Polineros, and Scorces.

Helena Espvall is a Swedish-American musician noted for her participation in the post-millennial psych-folk and free improv scenes. Her primary instruments are cello, guitar and voice."

-Helena Espvall Website (https://helena-espvall.keepvid.io/fr)
1/7/2026

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"João Valinho is a percussionist and Visual Artist based in Lisbon, Portugal."

-Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/joaovalinho)
1/7/2026

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


Track Listing:
Related Categories of Interest:


Creative Sources
Improvised Music
Free Improvisation
European Improvisation, Composition and Experimental Forms
Quintet Recordings
Stringed Instruments
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Search for other titles on the label:
Creative Sources.


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