Metal & Glass Ensemble is a Boston-based improvisational group with a rotating membership who create acoustic drone-based music with bowed cymbals and other metal objects, and glasses tuned to a just-intoned 23-note octave. This just scale, employing whole-number ratios akin to a natural harmonic overtone series, is the only formal tuning used in the group. The bowed metal generates its own shifting but interrelated pitch classes, while the instrumental players contribute using a variety of microtonal intonations. In this way the music is liberated from the 12-tone equal-tempered octave, and explores a broad spectrum of harmonic relationships. The ensemble uses a structured improvisational scheme (such as a chart or graphic score) to give each performance a specific form. In some cases the structure is conceptual, expressed through verbal imagery. The music itself evolves gradually over time, often conveying a meditative quality.

Peter Warren - bowed metal
Heather Townsend - glass
Thadd Comstock - glass
Matt Samolis - glass & flute
Randy Winchester - bowed metal
Phillip Lampe - bowed metal
Kathryn Schulmeister - bass
Jane Wang - cello/bass
Grant Smith - percussion
David Michael Curry - viola / saw / cello

http://www.myspace.com/metalandglass

This album is a recording of a live performance by The Metal & Glass Ensemble on June 19, 2009. It was produced by Randy Winchester for ARTSomerville.

ARTSomerville (ARTS) is a volunteer arts organization based in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA, which draws upon the talents of local creativity, strengthening communication among artists and the public by presenting exhibits, performances, and educational activities. Albums appearing under the ARTSomerville logo are from artists that have given performances at ARTSomerville sponsored events. Visit www.artsomerville.org to learn more.

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