Ensemble Resonance Trio

Ensemble Resonance Trio of the Rochester Folk Art Guild is Paul Schliffer (flute), Matthew Shubin (bassoon) and Michael Hunter (piano), all members of the full Ensemble Resonance. Their CD Reflections is is a wonderful landscape of improvised music, with guest Casey Sokol (percussion).

From the liner notes of the CD Reflections:

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Where can listening lead us when we are free of the written page?

What quality of listening is needed to improvise freely with others?

What do we need to keep and what do we need to let go as we abandon ourselves to the unknown?

Our project began with a wish to find ways to practice more sensitive listening and explore the essentials of music-making: tone, pitch, rhythm, tempo, etc. in our ensemble. A grant from the New York State Music Fund made possible a concert series, which we called “Legacies” plus several recording sessions. In the pieces that emerged, little or nothing was decided ahead – at most a pitch center, mode, or combination of instruments.

There is not a single phrase here that we previously played, nor one which we subsequently repeated. In a way, it was like meeting each other for a conversation, with no pre-decided topic, and talking and listening at the same time. We found that in many cases it took awhile for the improvisation to unfold, but more often than not, some small miracle would appear and surprise us all.

Listen carefully!

Matthew, Michael & Paul

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Reflections track list:

1. Sunrise Tuning
2. Unfolding Question
3. Passing Hail
4. At the Overlook
5. Warrior’s Call
6. Toward the Center
7. Edge of Giving
8. Gemini
9. Crossing Point
10. At Play
11. Echoes
12. Winding Way
13. Interlude
14. Journey
15. Three Sketches
16. Tall Man’s Dance
17. Invocation
18. Moontide
19. Departed Father
20. Coming Home
21. Hymn to the Earth

Reflections credits:

All music recorded during improvisation sessions and concerts at the Rochester Folk Art Guild, Middlesex, NY and The Chapel at the Spa Apartments Senior Living Center, Clifton Springs, NY.
Recorded and produced by Glenn Huels for Schadowrider Ltd.
These improvisations were created by M. Hunter, P. Schliffer, M. Shubin and guest artist C. Sokol.
Design by direct design.
Cover and back photos by Arthur Radin.
Manufactured in the United States by shadowrider records, a trademark and division of Schadowrider Ltd.