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 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Emmanuel Holterbach & Blutwurst - Ricercar nell’ombra’ [Another Timbre - 2020]

Ricercar nell’ombra’ is a forty-six-minute journey in slowing simmering & carefully morphing drone craft- that shifts from golden & glinting glides, onto completive & wishful hovers, though to murkier & brooding tonal expanses. The works written by French composer Emmanuel Holterbach- who is more known for his musique concrete & sound art compositions, and it's played by Florence based modern classical ensemble Blutwurst.

The release appears on UK based Another Timbre, coming in the labels sparse mini white gatefold packaging- this features on its front cover a photo of a densely crowded edge of woodland bank covered in long grasses, wildflowers & various other green, yellow & brown foliage- all making for an unstated, but fitting illustration for the work within.


Emmanuel Holterbach has been playing/recording work since the early 1990s, and Ricercar nell’ombra’ was written in 2018. If I were to compare it to anything I’d say a more organic, slightly creaking, and blurred take on some of Stars Of The Lid more classical instrumental based material, or maybe a more hazed at times wondering take on Phill Niblock's work. For this recording the Blutwurst ensemble where- Cristina Abati –viola,  Marco Baldini –trumpet,  Maurizio Constantini -double bass  Daniela Fantechi- accordion, Michele Lanzini –cello,  Edoardo Ricci-bass clarinet, and Luisa Santacesaria –harmonium.

The composition roles in six seconds over the forty six-minute mark- and it finds the seven-piece ensemble creating this very slowly, at times wavering & simmer drone dwell. As we progress through the works delicately morphing & gently ebbing flow we can make out each players different instrumental tonal identity & sonic sharpe- so this creates a most rewarding feeling of mood shifting. Yet for all, it’s wavering & slightly creaking shifts it never loses it’s pressing shape or harmonic pitch, which of course is due to the intuitive playing of the Blutwurst ensemble & Emmanuel Holterbach very subtly shifting composition.


In finishing Ricercar nell’ombra’ is a very appealing & engrossing example of modern classical focused drone matter- with both Holterbach careful & considered composition, and the Blutwurst wonderfully nuanced & rich playing really shining through-out…all making for another very worthy release from Another Timbre.

Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5

Roger Batty
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