The Squid's Ear Magazine

Pisaro, Michael

Melody, Silence (For Solo Guitar)

Pisaro, Michael : Melody, Silence (For Solo Guitar) (Potlatch)

A collection of materials for solo guitarist, written by Michael Pisaro-Liu and here performed by Christian Alvear, presenting the performer with up to 12 fragments which can be played in any order and which allow for various transformations, cuts, extensions and silences.
 

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Personnel:



Michael Pisaro-Liu-Liu-composer

Cristian Alvear-guitar


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UPC: 3491570002520

Label: Potlatch
Catalog ID: P115
Squidco Product Code: 20282

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2015
Country: France
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold
Recorded at Estudios Madreselva, in Santiago, chile, on July 1st, 2014 by Alfonso Perez.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"A stunning recording though what to say, how to describe beyond the piece's basic structure...difficult. Pisaro writes, "There are up to 12 fragments (or pieces) which can be played in any order and which allow for various transformations, cuts, extensions and silences. Each guitarist makes their own version." So clearly, the credit for the work's success is pretty evenly distributed and, of course, I'd love to hear other versions. But from what I've heard previously from Alvear, my guess is that his realization (on acoustic guitar, by the way) will be one of the strongest.

The twelve sections seem to fall into one of three types: quiet, melodic, "traditional" playing, drones and silences. As I chart it, the sequence here is M-D-D-M-S-M-S-D-S-M-D-M, with each section lasting between three and five minutes. The melodic sequences vary slightly from each other though all are quiet. They also have a certain rhythm, though very slow. The "melodies" range from slightly sour near the beginning to a very tonal, almost processional feel in the final episode--each one is crystalline and beautiful on its own, clearly and profoundly played by Alvear. The drones, achieved I assume via ebow or similar device, are also fascinating, varying both inherently (though super-subtly) and in one's listening environment when shifting one's head. The three silences last about three, two and four minutes and, as ever in fine realizations of Pisaro's music, are superbly placed, pools of contemplation.

Everything is laid bare, even stripped, the disrobing revealing a pure, taut and sensual skeleton. Like some object, maybe an old pine cone, simple and complex, examined from three angles, each opening a different history of the cone though each, of necessity, connected to and part of the other. Very hard to describe except to say we're fortunate to have yet another fantastic example of Pisaro's conception, exceptionally realized by Alvear. An absolute must for anyone interested in this area of music, truly beautiful."-Brian Olewnick, Just Outside


Artist Biographies

Chilean musician dedicated to the performance, premiere and recording of new music. He serves as co-curator of the Experimental Music Festival Relincha, in Valdivia, Chile.

Since the beginning of his career he has been constantly performing in the main auditoriums and concert halls of his country, as well as international festivals and concert venues. In recent years he has concentrated its efforts in performing educational concerts in rural areas of the Los Lagos region, in Southern Chile.

His work has been published by edition wandelweiser records (germany), irritable hedgehog (usa), cathnor (uk), rhizome.S (france), potlatch (france), 1000fŸssler (germany), lengua de lava (mexico), caduc (canada), melange editions (japan), b-boim records (austria) and erstclass (usa)."

-Cristian Alvear Website (http://www.cristianalvear.com/p/bioeng.html)
3/13/2024

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


Track Listing:



1. Melody, Silence 46:00

Related Categories of Interest:


Compositional Forms
lowercase, reductionist, micro-improv, sound improv, onkyo sound
Guitarists, &c.
Solo Artist Recordings
New in Compositional Music

Search for other titles on the label:
Potlatch.


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