Yttrium

CD – Creative Sources Recordings – CS448, Lisbon 2017

1. I - 67'17''

ISOTOPE ENSEMBLE

Ernesto Rodrigues - Viola
Maria do Mar - Violin
Miguel Mira - Cello 
Marc Ramírez - Double Bass
Luiz Rocha - Clarinet & Bass Clarinet
Nuno Torres - Alto Saxophone
Eduardo Chagas - Trombone
Abdul Moimême - Electric Guitar
Miguel Almeida - Classical Guitar
André Hencleeday - Psalterium & Santur
Rodrigo Pinheiro - Piano
Carlos Santos - Synthesizer & Computer
José Oliveira - Percussion

Recorded May 2017, Lisbon

Cover design Carlos Santos

https://ernestorodrigues.bandcamp.com/album/yttrium

Reviews

This is a new organization for 2017, and a great example of Creative Sources/Ernesto Rodrigues' large electroacoustic ensembles, blending acoustic and electronic sources in slow moving and subtle improvised works of a large scale. This album was captured live at O'culto da Ajuda, in Lisbon, Portugal in 2017, and 1 hour 7 minute performance with 12 musicians include Creative Sources regulars Ernesto Rodrigues on viola, Miguel Mira on cello, Nun Torres on alto sax, Eduardo Chagas on trombone, Abdul Moimeme on electric guitar, Jose Oliveira on percussion, and Carlos Santos on synth & computer. An interesting addition is Red Trio pianist Rodrigo Pinheiro on piano. The work layers their collective improvisation into a mysterious harmonic and hallucinatory convergence of powerful intention, evoking both tonal environments an periods of detailed interaction. The restraint and concentration of this group is what makes their sound so effective, each players consumed with the overall sound and slow momentum of the performance. Do not be fooled by the subtlety, the mastery of each to their instrument is what creates these exotic works, instant compositions on a massive scale of minimal movement; absolutely impressive. (The Squidco's Ear)

An incredible example of Creative Sources/Ernesto Rodrigues' large electroacoustic ensembles, blending acoustic and electronic sources in slow moving and subtle improvised works of a large scale, here with 12 musicians layering string, brass, keys, percussion, synth and computer into a mysterious harmonic and hallucinatory convergence of powerful intention. (Squidco)

I got two albums of Isotope Ensemble by courtesy of Ernesto. "Yttrium" presents "a new organization for 2017, and a great example of Creative Sources/Ernesto Rodrigues' large electro-acoustic ensembles, blending acoustic and electronic sources in slow moving and subtle improvised works of a large scale. This album was captured live at O'culto da Ajuda, in Lisbon, Portugal in 2017, and 1 hour 7 minute performance with 12 musicians..."

Indeed, with a dream team like that the music must come out amazing and it does. The piece starts quietly, again in a free minimal style, but in comparison to other pieces if Ernesto that balance between electro and acoustic components seem to be more equilibrated. This a very spacial music of cosmic dimension, stimulating imagination and reflections. But it is also quite demanding: you either love it or hate it. Me I love it.

I love the slow dynamics, the slow augmentation of the tension and attention, the recording quality that allows me to identify source of different sounds etc. The contribution of Rodrigo Pinheiro on piano and inside piano is extraordinary! Maciej Lewenstein