Isotope Ensemble – Barium
1. Barium – 54:53
Ernesto Rodrigues – viola & metronome
Guilherme Rodrigues – cello & objects
Marc Ramirez – double bass
Bruno Parrinha – soprano, alto & bass clarinets
Nuno Torres – alto saxophone
Paulo Galão – tenor saxophone
Anna Piosik – trumpet
Eduardo Chagas – trombone
Pedro Frazão – euphonium
Tiago Varela – fun organ, soprano & bass melodica
André Hencleeday – piano, electronics
Miguel Almeida – classical guitar
Abdul Moimême – prepared electric guitar
Carlos Santos – electronics
Carla Santana – electronics
Ryoko Imai – bass marimba
João Valinho – percussion
Recorded by Miguel Azguime
Mixed and mastered by Carlos Santos
Graphic Design by Carlos Santos
Produced by Ernesto Rodrigues
Recorded live on 8th February 2018 at O’Culto da Ajuda.
Creative Sources 2018
Reviews
Large scale improvisation of the most subtle nature from Portugal’s Isotope Ensemble led by Ernesto Rodrigues, 17 musicians slowly unfolding this beautiful work of consonance and dissonance dedicated to element atomic number 56, recording live at O’Culto da Ajuda in Lisbon with instrumentation including acoustic reeds, strings, brass, percussion, and electronics. (Squidco)
“Barium” is a little short and a little more acoustic, but still phenomenal! The concept is similar: a slow crescendo and then diminuendo of free minimal music with plenty of electronic accent, incredible spacial dimension, and amazing synergy. This time my favorite individual performers are Bruno Parrinha on bass clarinet and Anna Piosik on trumpet. Andre Hencleeday is also worth noticing. 55 minutes of pure delight with a heartbreaking final for a person like me. In fact, for a person like me these albums are among the best examples of the contemporary electro-acoustic music, comparable say to Evan Parker’s Electro-Acoustic Ensemble, and so on. Maciej Lewenstein