Michel Pascal - Puzzle (2000)

Puzzle is the culminating project of a residency done by the group Studio Instrumental at the CIRM. Studio Instrumental is a modular ensemble that explores how today's musical instruments change through their connection with the capabilities offered by new technologies, while empowering the soloist with significant gestural control in the electronic domain. This control remains within the realm of instrumental technique developed by the performer. Therefore, a new type of musician, interpreter, or producer, emerges: one who controls the acoustic and electronic aspects, in real time, within a living concert.

Portraits: Composed mostly in collaboration with the instrumentalist using improvised sound recordings, they form the "genetic card" of the musician and his instrument in a short span of time. Playable in the normal way, these portraits serve as the reference, as instrumental links from the acoustic to the electronic. (...)
Solos: Two sampler solos build an inverted bridge from electroacoustics to the living instrumentalist. A few elements from the sound matter are captured through this medium that allow for the creation of playing modes characteristic of the electronic keyboard in real time. Michel Pascal, CD liner notes.

01 Puzzle 96: Répété
02 Puzzle 96: Portrait Du Trio À Cordes De Paris
03 Puzzle 96: Diffractions
04 Puzzle 96: Portrait De Raymond Boni
05 Puzzle 96: Portrait De Bernard Vitet
06 Puzzle 96: Portrait De Michel Godard
07 Puzzle 96: Vents
08 Puzzle 96: Portrait De Brigitte Sylvestre
09 Portrait De Daniel Kientzy
10 Ram (live solo on sampler, M. Pascal)
11 Portrait De Pierre-Yves Artaud Aux Six Flûtes
12 Centuring (live solo on sampler, M.Pascal)
13 Portrait De Michel Lethiec
14 Puzzle 99: Rondes
15 Puzzle 99: Portrait D'Alexandre Ouzounoff
16 Puzzle 99: Trois Temps
17 Puzzle 99: Portrait De Gérard Frémy

Pierre Yves Artaud: Flutes
Jean Querlier: Oboe
Michel Lethiec: Clarinet
Alexandre Ouzounoff: Bassoon
Daniel Kientzy: Saxophone
Patrice Petitdidier: Horn
Vinko Globokar: Trombone
Bernard Vitet: Trumpet
Michel Godard: Tuba
Pablo Cueco: Zarb
Gérard Frémy: Piano
Elisabeth Chojnacka: Harpsichord
Brigitte Sylvestre: Harp
Raymond Boni: Guitar
Charles Frey: Violin
Michel Michalakakos: Viola
Jean Grout: Cello
Barre Philips: Double Bass

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