This month’s podcast features the violin and voice of Concetta Abbate.
Concetta came up to the studio from Queens, NY on a weird winter day that started sunny and devolved into icy snow squalls. The three improvisations that comprise this recording really seem to capture the feeling of that day.
Concetta Abbate is a classically trained violinist turned improviser and composer. Grammy.com describes her original performances as a mix of “Violin and delicate vocals that float between the worlds of Modern Classical, Neo-Folk, and poignant and poetic verse”. She has released three studio albums exploring art song, avant chamber music and free improvisation.
This month, having just passed the five year mark, I’m taking a look back with the intent of creating a sea of tranquility for you to submerge yourself in. The source material is from three sessions going back to 2015. This podcast uses previously unreleased parts from those sessions.
It starts by revisiting a collaboration with saxophonist Brad Hubbard (ES Podcast #24) playing the Electronic Wind Instrument. Brad is a fantastic and thoughtful improvisor, and here he brings some nice synth tones and textures to our musical conversation.
The middle section is from an all day solo performance (installation?) in 2015 during Newburgh Open Studios (ES Podcast #6). These durational performances really let me take my time and slow waay down. I try to get to a similar place in my shorter performances, but its always a challenge. This one is cascading and minimal, it reminds me of watching little waves rushing to shore, or gentle raindrops.
Finally there’s more contemplative improvisation this time with vocalist Ella Ray Kondrat (ES Podcast #34). This recording was literally the first time we played together. I think at the time I edited the original podcast I may have thought it was too raw, but listening to it now I find it has a sort of fragile beauty.
This month’s podcast is a collaboration with Mark Trecka who processes cassette tapes, voice and bells to create beautiful, textured soundscapes.
Mark Trecka in performance Dec. 12, 2018
Also! this podcast, number 48, marks four years of the Errant Space Podcast! Its been a very good experience for me; I’ve met and collaborated with many amazing people and it has really helped me grow as a musician and human. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed it too, and we can continue this journey into sound together.
This month’s podcast features the violin and voice of Concetta Abbate.
