The Squid's Ear Magazine


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.
 

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Personnel:



Ernesto Rodrigues-conduction, viola

Maria do Mar-violin

Maria Radich-voice

Miguel Mira-cello

Anna Piosik-trumpet

Bruno Parrinha-alto clarinet

Ziv Taubenfeld-bass clarinet

Nuno Torres-alto saxophone

Tiago Varela-melodica

Armando Pereira-accordion

Guilherme Carmelo-electric guitar

Luisa Goncalves-piano

Carla Santana-electronics

Carlos Santos-electronics

Jose Oliveira-percussion

Monsieur Trinite-percussion, objects


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UPC: 5609063408034

Label: Creative Sources
Catalog ID: cs803
Squidco Product Code: 34426

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2024
Country: Portugal
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold
Recording live at Torre Do Tombo, in Lisbon, Portugal, on December 14th 2023, by Carlos Santos.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"This live recording was made during a concert by VGO - Variable Geometry Orchestra that signaled the opening, in December of 2023, of an exhibition about the college student struggles against the Portuguese dictatorship in the years 1970-1974. The location was Torre do Tombo, in Lisbon, a concrete building where are secured most historic archives of the country, including those of the secret police, PIDE. The circumstance was very special.

The political moment - the one of the exhibition itself; the polls indicating a rising of the extreme-right after the collapse of the Socialist Party government in a poorly explained and not convincing judicial case of corruption (it seemed like a coup); the problematic situation of the National Health Service, one of the most important conquests of the 1974 revolution; the tourist-capitalist gentrification, pushing populations and traditional commerce outside the oldest parts of the city; the war between Israel and Hamas, with the genocidal politics of the first - re-enacted the identity of improvised music. After all, this tendency was born in Europe in the final years of the Sixties, emerging from the midst of the student movement and assembling artists aligned with Trotzkyst, Maoist, Eurocommunist, Situationist and Anarchist convictions.

At some point of the performance, Ernesto Rodrigues invited all the musicians to vocalize together and he, himself, repeated the phrase "This concert is dedicated to the people of Palestine". The left activism of the last years of Portuguese fascism was there musically reassumed and actualized, and that's the first note to take from this public session. In a era of multiple bleaching in which many improvisers seem to forget the social and political foundations of what they play, it was of maximum significance to remember it.

Why? Because the music was collective and collectivist, attempting to reconcile freedom of expression and semantics with an equal responsibility and presence of the individuals, with no hierarchies or orchestral suits, either methodologically or in terms of its signification. But Ernesto Rodrigues, the mentor of this ensemble of variable dimensions - in this circumstance with only 16 participants - did this adding an extra element: his gestural and maestro conduction. If in other VGO concerts the violist "directed" it with his own instrument, giving subtle signals to the others for changes of musical flows, this time he introduced the factor of "authority", but deconstructing and subverting it in such a way that he was no longer conducting, but improvising the materials with the instrumentalists. Some didn't follow him, or didn't follow him immediately, but that was part of the game. To all effects, the title of the exhibition was "There's Always Someone Who Says No".

It was a kind of metaphor of the acts of a student leader: in the dynamics of a political movement he´s no longer managing it, but learning/organizing the pulses and purposes of everyone, in order to have a fixed intention among unfixed performativities. What happened was a sonic mapping of desires, affections and enthusiasms. And of a spirit of revolt, dissent and defiance. When the status quo is of resignation and conformity, acting music as a struggle against was precious. Rui Eduardo Paes "-Rui Eduardo Paes


Artist Biographies

"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)
5/1/2024

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)
5/1/2024

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Vocalist Maria Radich is a member of the Portuguese bands: Ensemble MIA, ikb, Variable Geometry Orchestra

-Squidco 5/1/2024

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"Born in 1958, studying guitar at the Academy of Music Amateurs, in the 70s, with Prof. Nagy. In the late 70 studying bass at the Hot Club, in the early '80s, with Prof. Zé Eduardo.

"Intrigue and permanent and persistent unease with stringed instruments, jazz and improvisation itself. During the last forty years, in concert, in private or in the studio, I had the honor of having played and learned (chronologically) Nuno Grande, Armindo Neves, Emilio Robalo, Celso Carvalho, António Ferro, Arthur Costa, Ze Bitch John Vinegar, John Lucas, Francisco Medina, Abdul moimeme, Rashiim Ausar Sahu, Patrick Brennan, Rodrigo Amado, Scott Fields, Francisco Trindade, Ernesto Rodrigues, Harvey Sorgen and Joe Giardullo.

Today, honor me play (and perpetuate my restlessness) with Rodrigo Amado, Abdul moimeme, John Lucas, Joseph Bruno Parrinha, John Parrinha, João Pedro Viegas, Alipio Carvalho Neto, Gabriel Ferrandini, Ernesto Rodrigues, Armando Gonçalves Pereira, Hernani Faustino, Rodrigo Pinheiro, Zé Lencastre, Louis Desirat, Peter Castello Lopes, Luís Lopes, Luís Vicente, Philip Sousa, Pedro Roxo, Johannes Krieger, George Lamprey, Marcello Maggi, Paulo Curado, Diogo Leal, D' Incise, Virginia and Eduardo Chagas. With some of my friends. I share my musical day in broader bands or ensembles, with other I highlight specific musical encounters and they are my entire curriculum." "

-JACC Records (http://www.jacc-records.com/en/musicians/miguel-mira)
5/1/2024

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

Anna Piosik is a trumpet player, known for the bands ikb, Isotope Ensemble, Octopus, and Variable Geometry Orchestra.

-Squidco 5/1/2024

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"Bruno Parrinha - alto sax / soprano, Clarinet Sb / Alto, flute

Around the age of 10 began playing the clarinet. At 17 he bought a flute and entered the Academy of Music where he Amateurs solfeggio and instrument with Paulo Curado for two years . Later he was always playing clarinet and tenor saxophone ( self-taught ) and at age 21 he was invited to join the band Pop Radar Gaddafi with whom he recorded . Later he was cast of musicians on the play " Vieux Carré " in teatro da Graça playing tenor sax . Spent a year on the scene . At 87 he began to attend formations of Sei Miguel resulting in vinyl LP recorded at 88 " Songs love and against terrorism ." Since then he has dedicated his commitment to free improvisation and has participated in numerous trainings and concerts with illustrious musicians including Rodrigo Amado , Rodrigo Pinheiro , Miguel Mira , João Lucas , Paulo Curado , Ernesto Rodrigues , Guilherme Rodrigues , Ulrich Mitzlaff , Manuel Guimarães Cyril Bondi , " D' Incise ," Raphael Ortiz , Nicolaus Gerwinsky , Phill Niblock , Raymond McDonald , Victor Nubla , Nuno Rebelo , Marco Franco, Gabriel Ferrandini , Hernani Faustino , Luís Lopes , José Oliveira , Carlos Santos , Carlos " Zingaro " João Pedro Viegas , Victor Rua , Abdul " moimême " , Luís Vicente , João Lancaster , Luis Gil , Paulo Pimentel , Francisco Andrade , Albert Cicera and many others.

Presently a part of groups : ARGUE, IKB , VGO , Miguel Mira Quartet , Open Mind and Puma. "

-Bruno Parrinha MySpace Page (https://myspace.com/brunoparrinha/bio)
5/1/2024

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"Born in Israel in 1986, Ziv Taubenfeld is a young, up-and-coming talent on bass clarinet and one of the best improvisers around at the moment. He first studied in Israel, then in the Netherlands. He lives in Amsterdam and has worked with, among others, drummer Han Bennink, clarinetist Ab Baars and composer-pianist Guus Janssen. Taubenfeld is currently the leader of the trio Bones whose other members are his childhood friends: drummer Nir Sabag and bassist Shay Hazan. Taubenfeld also plays with the bands Kuhn Fu, Plots and XPE. Hazan is also from Israel and studied at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. Drummer Sabag trained at the Israel Conservatory of Music in Tel Aviv. The trio's self-titled debut album was released in 2016. The second release by this Netherlands-based group is expected later this year."

-North Sea Jazz (http://www.northseajazz.com/en/program/2017/sunday-9-july/23817-ziv-taubenfeld-bones-trio/#.WdauloZryV4)
5/1/2024

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"Studied alto saxophone within a jazz tradition spectrum. His continuous solo experimental research explores a wide scope of sound material through the use of the extended technics. Participates in several ensembles of improvisational music, electro acoustics and reductionism. Collaborates with musicians such as, Ernesto Rodrigues, Ricardo Jacinto, Sei Miguel, Fala Mariam, João Castro Pinto, Rafael Toral, Manuel Mota, David Stackenäs, Travassos, Paulo Raposo, Carlos Santos, Shiori Usui, C. Spencer Yeh, Cyril Bondi and d'incise, and developed projects as CACTO and PinkDraft, In the recent years has been also collaborating in several different projects at the intersection of the performative areas of dance, theatre and the visual arts (PARQUE, Les Voisins, Eye Height, Adriana Sá, Beatriz Cantinho). Participates and curates experimental and community radio initiatives."

-Creative Sources (http://creativesourcesrec.com/artists/n_torres.html)
5/1/2024

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Tiago Varela is a Portuguese musician who plays melodica, and is a member of Equinox Quartet, Isotope Ensemble, Variable Geometry Orchestra.

-Squidco 5/1/2024

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Accordionist and toy pianist Armando Pereira is a member of IKB and , Variable Geometry Orchestra, recording with Ernesto Rodrigues, Guilherme Rodrigues, Gil Gonçalves, Nuno Torres, Abdul Moimême, Carlos Santos & and José Oliveira.

-Squidco 5/1/2024

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Guilherme Carmelo is a guitarist from Massarelos, Portugal. He is known for the groups Equinox Quartet, Variable Geometry Orchestra, Baphomet, and Dark Magus.

-Discogs (https://www.discogs.com/artist/4992050-Guilherme-Carmelo)
5/1/2024

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Luísa Gonçalves Lisbon, Portugal is a musician, pianist, & composer. She holds a superior degree in classical piano performance ESMAE, and works frequently with other musicians and performing arts.

5/1/2024

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Carla Santana is a Portuguese electronic artist known for the bands Quarto com Luz, quatroconnection, Isotope Ensemble and Variable Geometry Orchestra.

-Squidco 5/1/2024

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"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."

-Creative Sources (http://creativesourcesrec.com/creative_artists.html)
5/1/2024

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

"Polivalent artist with conections to the Fluxus movement, José Oliveira is well known, besides music by his "mail art" creations, performance and poetry.

As an improvisor, his aproach to percussion is similar to Paul Lovens, Roger Turner, Lê Quan Ninh and Paul Lytton. He prefers a non conventional "set", where he uses instruments and objects as raw materials to create an improvised language rich in terms of timbre and textures. To this he adds sometimes inside piano manipulations and prepared guitar, in the same way as John Cage: the objects are placed on the strings or in between them in real-time performance, and not according to a previous plan.

He belonged to Sei Miguel collective between 1989 and 1996, played with Carlos Bechegas and Pedro Roxo and has a regular activity with Ernesto Rodrigues."

-Creative Sources (http://creativesourcesrec.com/creative_artists.html)
5/1/2024

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

Monsieur Trinité is based in Lisboa, Portugal, and is a member of Equinox Quartet, IKB, Potlatch, and Variable Geometry Orchestra.

-Squidco 5/1/2024

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Track Listing:



1. Conduction #50 30:57

Related Categories of Interest:


Creative Sources
Improvised Music
Free Improvisation
European Improvisation, Composition and Experimental Forms
Large Ensembles
New in Improvised Music
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