Holsen/Bulligan/Furlan

Nothing to do with the fruit or the computer this seven-part suite captures a compelling live electro-acoustic improvisation by creative musicians from three different countries. With each sequence fading into the next, Apple Bite affirms the connections among Norwegian Hilde Marie Holsen’s blend of trumpet and electronics; Slovenian drummer and percussionist Gal Furlan’s systemic rhythmic strategy; and the interludes and emphasis from Italian Mariano Bulligan’s cello technique, cello affiliations and vocal contributions.

All the players are experienced in taking distinctive bites out of improvised tender fruit. Holsen for instance move among delicacy, drone and density with musicians Magnus Bugge and Alessandro Sgobbio. Furlan has worked with Massimo De Mattia and Zlatko Kaučič among others; and Bulligan has played with Parallax and Orkester Brez Meja.

While ethereal trumpet grace notes often dangle over the evolving sequences, intermittent mouthpiece smears, half–valve stops and elevated squeaks fragment lyrical impulses. Besides synthesizing interactive drones throughout, cello strains from Bulligan can take on guitar-like flanges, woody folkloric-like strums, romantic glissandi, or col legno smacks and scrapes. Concurrently Furlan is along to curve drum pops, ruffs and patterns into associated beats.

Evolving tracks with broken-octave motifs, the trio moves from coloratura to clamor, as sequences soar and dip with potamento brass lines interrupted by tongue stops and plunger injections, the better to intersect with cello patterns for tandem, but not identical pulses. Sul ponticello string swipes break up whooshing signal processing and join with cymbal clip to disturb the wave form ostinato during “Bite 5” at the same time as the cellist’s tenor-pitched vocalization creates tone variations of a different sort.

By “Part 6” the buzzes and rumbles widen with heraldic skyscraper tones to reach a climax of staccato timbres that are aggressive and pressurized. As the three instruments’ timbres draw closer together the undulations become more measured so that the finale blends undulations with linearity.

Producing an individual program of creativity and cooperation, Holsen, Bulligan and Furlan create not only memorable music but the sort of interaction countries in the EU should practice more often.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Bite 2. Bite 2 3. Bite 3 4.  Bite 4 5. Bite 5 6. Bite 6 7. Bite 7

Personnel: Hilde Marie Holsen (trumpet and live electronics); Mariano Bulligan (cello, voice and effects) and Gal Furlan (drums and percussion)