Metal & Glass Ensemble

is a Boston-based improvisational group with a rotating membership who create acoustic drone-based music with bowed cymbals and other metal objects, and glasses tuned to a just-intoned 23-note octave. This just scale, employing whole-number ratios akin to a natural harmonic overtone series, is the only formal tuning used in the group. The bowed metal generates its own shifting but interrelated pitch classes, while the instrumental players contribute using a variety of microtonal intonations. In this way the music is liberated from the 12-tone equal-tempered octave, and explores a broad spectrum of harmonic relationships. The ensemble uses a structured improvisational scheme (such as a chart or graphic score) to give each performance a specific form. In some cases the structure is conceptual, expressed through verbal imagery. The music itself evolves gradually over time, often conveying a meditative quality.

Bill Barclay, bowed metal, glass

Thadd Comstock, glass, bowed metal

David Michael Curry - viola / saw / double bass

Phil James, shakuhachi

Matt Samolis, flute, glass, bowed metal

Junko Simons, cello

Heather Townsend, glass

Randy Winchester, bowed metal

http://www.myspace.com/metalandglass

This album is a recording of a live performance by The Metal & Glass Ensemble on November 14, 2009. It was produced by Randy Winchester for ARTSomerville. Clarendon Hill Church window photo by Matt Samolis.  CD quality FLAC files are available from http://www.archive.org/details/MetalAndGlassEnsembleAtTheNaveNovember142009 .

 

ARTSomerville (ARTS) is a volunteer arts organization based in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA, which draws upon the talents of local creativity, strengthening communication among artists and the public by presenting exhibits, performances, and educational activities. Albums appearing under the ARTSomerville logo are from artists that have given performances at ARTSomerville sponsored events. Visit www.artsomerville.org to learn more.