PREVIEW: Network of Lines album launch, Melbourne Recital Centre’s Salon, 6pm Tuesday 11 February
Tilman Robinson trombone/laptop, Peter Knight trumpet/laptop, Callum G’Froerer trumpet, Erkki Veltheim violin, Judith Hamann cello, Brett Thompson guitar/banjo, Berish Bilander piano, Sam Zerna bass, Hugh Harvey drums. Additional cello Melanie Robinson, additional percussion Joe Talia, Josh Barber and Tilman Robinson
If On a Winter Night a Traveller in December 2012
It’s very late to post about a performance the day before it’s taking place, but tomorrow’s recital in the Salon deserves attention. I’ll be working and can’t be there, but I highly recommend that anyone able to make it to the launch of this album should go.
Network of Lines is Tilman Robinson‘s debut album performed by a nine piece electro-acoustic ensemble of Melbourne musicians. Written in response to the Italo Calvino novel If On a Winter’s Night a Traveller, the piece derives its form from the novel’s distinctive narrative structure.
If On a Winter Night a Traveller May 2012
The work was commissioned by the Melbourne Jazz Fringe Festival and demonstrates again how important that festival’s commissions have been in adding substantial compositions to the Melbourne jazz repertoire.
If On a Winter Night a Traveller May 2012
As these images record, the work has been performed previously twice — first on 13 May 2012 at Northcote Town Hall as part of the MJFF and second on 4 December the same year in Abbotsford.
If On a Winter Night a Traveller May 2012
On both occasions the performances were intricately constructed and exquisitely executed, demonstrating the talents of the ensemble members and the care Tilman Robinson had taken in constructing the piece.
If On a Winter Night a Traveller May 2012
Xani Kolac was on violin during these outings. Erkki Veltheim is featured on that instrument in the recording.
If On a Winter Night a Traveller May 2012
If On a Winter Night a Traveller May 2012
The work is adventurous, exploring a a range of textures, timbres and effects, including laptop work by Peter Knight and Tilman Robinson.
If On a Winter Night a Traveller December 2012
The moods created are diverse. There are slow, dreamy parts, as well as classical and hymn-like interludes, passages of building tension and sudden, dramatic outbursts.
If On a Winter Night a Traveller December 2012
There are sweeping vistas. There is gradual fragmentation.
If On a Winter Night a Traveller December 2012
There are percussive nibblings, pizzicato incursions and wailing sirens from the strings. Horns — trombone, trumpet and flugelhorn — are resplendent, then muted, then soaring. Notes are bent. Drums break in, break out.
The album closes with Robinson’s arrangement of Sean O’Neill’s composition What Story Down There Awaits Its End? It is a fitting end to the journey.
The Salon at MRC is an ideal room for this album launch. I am sorry to be missing it.
ROGER MITCHELL
If On a Winter Night a Traveller December 2012
Network of Lines will be launched at the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Salon at 6pm on Tuesday 11th February ($30/$25). Tickets are now available through the Recital Centre’s website.
Network of Lines is also available through theListen/Hear Collective.
Miriam Zolin of Extemporé/AustralianJazz.net has posted an interview about this work and its inception.
Melbourne musician Don Jordan has written a review.
Ausjazz Blog 