Some of you may recall that we previously featured Balladeste (violinist Preetha Narayanan and cellist Tara Franks) in 2021 when they released their sophomore album ‘Beyond Breath’ – Part song, part narrative, part modal imagery.
For their forthcoming album, Conversations in Ritual (out on 21st July), they enter pastures new with an entirely improvised album that celebrates their current meeting point, their musical language and improvised conversations built up through over ten years of playing together.
Below, you can hear their first single, Rain Shimmer, released today. Like their previous work, their music still holds an ethereal quality that I find stills the body and mind, although the improvised musical narrative presents some tantalising harmonic effects. At times you can hear a deep welling resonance, not dissimilar to that made by singing bowls – the effect is quite impressive as it centres the body. Within the piece, cyclical patterns also catch the ear, and details like the rise and fall of the music remind you of breathing. As intended, you can feel its connection to nature… and the effect, if you give it your full attention, is quite powerful and moving. Something more profound is happening in Balladeste’s music…it’s quite a beautiful experience to listen to. ‘Rain Shimmer’ is also our Tune of the Day.
They tell us:
Rain Shimmer is the first single (or sketch) from our new full improvised album – a meeting point and musical conversation reflecting 10 years of playing together. This track defines the sound we have created together, an interplay of the acoustic qualities the two instruments and two voices. There is always a narrative, whether it evolves from the music or is present before the music begins, whether it is intuitive or contemplated – and this album has become a celebration of connection and ode to the land.
The album was recorded live at Snape Maltings, Suffolk, with support from Britten Pears Arts and Help Musicians UK; Balladeste spent a week playing, improvising & recording with collaborator Alex Bonney (recording engineer/electronic musician) to create what has become Conversations in Ritual – an entirely improvised musical narrative influenced by the surroundings in which it was created.
Pushing the acoustic qualities of Balladeste‘s ambient, meditative yet dynamic soundworld, Conversations in Ritual takes the listener on a sonic journey, reflecting on the land, the extremities of climate and the changes we are all effecting.
Find out more here: https://www.balladeste.co.uk/
Album Launch
Don’t miss their album launch @ Fitzrovia Chapel, London, on 30th June at 19:30.
At the launch, Balladeste will play an improvised set in the round and then be joined by renowned cross-over string players Flora Curzon (violin) and Laura Moody (cello) for a debut performance of string quartet arrangements of their original tracks from ‘Beyond Breath’.
Tickets: https://billetto.co.uk/e/balladeste-album-launch-fitzrovia-chapel-london-tickets-827225