The Squid's Ear Magazine


Merce, Sergio: Be Nothing (Edition Wandelweiser Records)

A beautifully ambient album of analogue synthesiser, microtonal saxophone and electronics by Argentinian saxophonist Sergio Merce, a single long track that pauses and resumes its rich tones and harmonies at a deliberate and measured pace, allowing each environment to ring.
 

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Personnel:



Sergio Merce-electronics, saxophone


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UPC: 011778040743

Label: Edition Wandelweiser Records
Catalog ID: EWR 1604
Squidco Product Code: 22363

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2016
Country: Germany
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold 3 Panels
Recorded at Merlo, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 6th, 2015 by the artist.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"The cover is white with grey sans-serif text and on the inside sleeve, across from a dilated monochrome image of snow or possibly sand, are the lowercase words: "why are we frightened to be nothing?" Which would normally set me squirming, except that this is classic Wandelweiser - a select group of composers and performers whose aesthetic fixates on sparse, quiet, slow and subtly shaded sounds. The hour-long title track - the disc's only one - for analogue synthesiser, microtonal saxophone and electronics by Argentinian saxophonist Sergio Merce often dissolves into long stretches of silence or pauses for whole minutes to consider a single groggy drone. It goes further into ambient territory than most Wandelweiser releases - yoga studios may find good use for it - but it is something worth listening to. The overtones are whispered, but listen closely and they're incredibly lustrous; gentle palpitations in the bass keep nudging the momentum forwards, unhurried but always on the move."-Kate Molleson, The Guardian UK


Get additional information at The Guardian, UK

Artist Biographies

"Sergio Merce plays tenor saxophone and four tracks portastudio without tapes, he was born in 1973. He works in projects that involve the interaction between free improvisation and contemporary music. He studied classic saxophone for 9 years in the official conservatory of Moron "Alberto Ginastera", improvisation inside jazz style with Sergio Petravich and with Carlos Lastra, paying especial attention to John Coltrane's techniques and spirit. He works as a music teacher in kindergardens since 1998. He has realized concerts and improvisation work shops for children in Argentina and many countries in Europe. In rcent years he developed his work around extended techniques on the saxophone, and in the same way developed his electronic music. In May 2002 he made an European tour with Lucio Capece, playing as a duo as well as with European musicians in Brussels (Les Bains Connective), Amsterdam (Overtom 301, ciclo "Kraakgeluiden"), London (Red Rose), Berlin (The Kule "Labor Sonor"), Sczecin (Poland, "Musica Genera" Festival). In September 2003 he made a tour around Belgium, France and Holland, playing five concerts based on the famous Cornelius Cardews piece "Treatise", next to the prestigious English guitar player Keith Rowe and his electro-acoustic ensemble. He had played next to some of the more important musicians of the international vanguard scene: Axel Dörner (Germany), Andrea Neumann (Germany), Burkhard Beins (Germany), Julia Eckhardt (Germany / Belgium), Alex Waterman (USA), Robyn Schulkowsky (USA), Bob Rainey (USA), Wade Matthews (USA), Boris Baltschun (Germany), Serge Baghdassarians (Germany), Kyle Bruckmann (USA), Robin Hayward (England)."

-http://www.echoraum.at/merce.htm (Echoraum)
3/13/2024

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


Track Listing:



1. Be Nothing 58:03

Related Categories of Interest:

Avant-Garde
Electro-Acoustic
Electro-Acoustic Improv
Recordings by or featuring Reed & Wind Players
Electronic Forms
Solo Artist Recordings
Ambient & Minimal Music
New in Experimental & Electronic Music
South & Central American Improvisation

Search for other titles on the label:
Edition Wandelweiser Records.


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