Emmanuel Cremer

Mark Wastell
Cello-Intern Solos
Confront core Series CORE 27

Like any singular effort, designing a solo cello recital isn’t for the apprehensive. Besides having only four strings and a bow to express the textures routinely expected from multiple players, the particular architecture of the instrument make it prone to shrills and scratching. Luckily both cellists here take these hindrances into consideration – and even use them to heighten the music’s distinctiveness – positing fully innovative sessions.

Superficially the central different between the discs is that UK cellist Mark Wastell divides his improvisations among 17 tracks of various lengths, while French cellist Emmanuel Cremer sticks to five longish tracks. Wastell, who plays with Rhodri Davies and many others, recorded these live tracks during a four month residency at a London arts space. Cremer, who has recorded with the likes of Raymond Boni, created Cinq Chants d’Athènes in a Greek studio, buttressing some improvisations with overdubbing.

Wastell’s chief interest appears to be in how many unexpected textures he can wrench from the instrument. This is especially obvious on tracks such as the subsequent “No. 9” and “Winter Harbour”. A rare instance of extended evolution on the first, mellow low pitches become more expressive as they stretch forward. Before climaxing with runs that seems almost vocalized, he slices the string set vertically then horizontally for distinctive variety. A continuation, “Winter Harbour”. adds strained dissonance to the exposition which moves the narrative back and forth with staccato cross tones. Notwithstanding some tracks begin with silence or include brief hushed interludes, most of the playing is staccato and presto rather than more languid. Multiphonic instances, buzzing slides and col legno strokes figure into most of the tracks, which begin with squeaky whistles and squeezed strokes on “The Red Fish” and remain in that particular pool most of the time. With sul tasto and sul ponticello pressure applied throughout, and sudden pivots to skyscraper high thrusts or bass clef emphasis, Wastell keeps the unexpected part of his sound progression upfront. Some tunes may be louder and faster as distinct tones are isolated, then shoved into connection; others feature tension-thickened notes shattered as they echo with outsized fiddle strokes. “Lux Eterna” takes most advantage of the venue’s spatial qualities as variable squeaks become varied textures as their properties remain hanging in the air after quiet kicks in. Meanwhile although multi-string stops, pumps and strums are brought into the extended “Violet In Mars”, variants in timbres simultaneously outline top-of-scale squeaks and bass clef springiness.

With large canvases in which to paint on his disc, Cremer for the most part eschews the pointillist for wide bow strokes and adds the equivalent brush work with overdubbing. This is most obvious on “Meli” and “Deep in Chimaeras’ Space”, the final two tracks. On the first echoing bass clef thumps create a continuum that evolves at the same time as romantically structured timbres on top. Meanwhile the even longer “Deep in Chimaeras’ Space” matches continuous and concentrated buzzing strokes with jagged tremolo thrusts. Adagio lines are bisected by sharp squeaks in the final sequence with what sound like electrified tones, with dissonant cries heard at the same time until the sounds shake away. Meeting the solo cello challenge with invention and skill characterize both sessions. Plus each attains its goals in a unique manner.

–Ken Waxman

rack Listing: Intern: 1. The Red Fish 2. One Form 3. Black And White Vertical 4. Lux Eterna 5. Azalea Garden 6. Boats At Night 7. Porthmeor 8. The Blue Check Tablecloth 9. No. 9 10. Winter Harbour 11. Crambe Vicarage 12. Small Areas 13.The Staircase 14. Wicca Cove 15. The Lamp 16. Violet In Mars 17. Discs Escaping.

Personnel: Intern: Mark Wastell (cello)

Track Listing: 1. Ste-Croix-De-Caderle/Αθήνα/ Brussels 2. Mythes et Utopie 3. Infini sans Terre 4. Meli 5. Deep in Chimaeras’ Space

Personnel: Emmanuel Cremer (cello)