Barrel - Gratuitous Abuse - Emanem - EMANEM5020

Alison Blunt, Ivor Kallin, and Hannah Marshall spontaneously score three lengthy pieces, and a short spasm, for violin, viola and cello. Barrel's music, they admit, involves a lot of scraping.
Initially, the trio's genetic make up means it's difficult to for the listener to peer through the shadow of the classical tradition or the minimalist avant-garde, and hear the sound that's actually there. But by the final piece, Moths and Feathers, Barrell sound unlike anything else.

Flurries of notes and clunky bridge nudge noise flutter around gracefully drunken descends, three dowager duchesses sliding down the banister in a rain of ripped confetti.

(20/11/11)