The title 'The Dialogue' might seem odd for a single instrument album. There are two reasons behind this choice, the first one being that one of the most important pieces by Mouton is called 'Le Dialogue des Graces sul Iris'. The second reason is that Mouton composed music using the so-called style brisé (broken style), which gives the impression of an ongoing dialogue between the voice and the bass. The soul both asks questions and answers them, constantly changing its state.

Charles Mouton was born in Paris in 1617 and he died around 1699. He is one of the main lute composers of the Baroque. He had a lot of recognition at the time, but it seems he never worked at the French royal court. He had a central role in Parisian cultural gatherings and salons around the mid 1600s. His was in touch with art, and refined things, rather than with political power, and his lifestyle definitely influenced his music. Mouton works seems to be examining the precariousness of the human mind, that is, its variability.

Mouton organizes his music in large groups of pieces that have the same key. Musicians can create suites by choosing the pieces from these groups according to their own music personality.

I recorded four suites, one is in F-sharp minor, one in G-minor, one in A-minor and one in A-major. I chose mostly minor keys because they make up the majority of Mouton’s music.

Mouton composed in an 'elegantly twisted' way. His music often has modulations that don’t follow a predictable pattern - it’s as if they wander graciously. However, the end of the phrases or sections is logical and spontaneous. The melodies are often started, then stopped, and sometimes a different voice will resume them. We could say Mouton carried on the style brisé composing technique, which his predecessors already used, but he also focuses make his music more cantabile.

One of the few facts we know about his life is that he worked at the court of Savoia, Italy, for a short period of time. He was responsible of the plucked instruments section. The style brisé, that is, the broken style, is originally not very cantabile, but Mouton tried to join the two aspects in his music, and that’s probably also due to the fact he lived in Italy for a while.

The suites I created are meant to take the listener on a journey through many changeable emotions, expressed in a very refined, delicate manner.

Francesca Torelli
D minor lute by Stephen Gottlieb

Recorded August 28-30 2019
borgo Le Viole, San Valentino (Reggio Emilia, Italy)
Sound engineer Stefano Albarello

Cover artwork Giorgio Aldini

English translation Arianna Aldini

Terracotta Blue’s “Dreamcatcher” is not only a nod to minimalist boom-bap instrumentals (he cites DJ Krush’s ultra-dark 1998 album “Kakusei” as inspiration). Its gritty, bass-heavy melancholic chill vibe was also audiotherapy of sorts for the DC-area producer’s weeks-long bout of insomnia he experienced towards the end of 2019.

1. Out Of The Woods - Scored for nine cellos with a tenth cello that has something to add for only a handful of bars, this shimmering new work for cello ensemble was inspired by overcoming adversary.

2. Forlorn - “Forlorn” is a sombre and hypnotic minimalistic work scored for five cellos. Many harmonies are implied and a variety of textures/colours revealed, however the piece really goes nowhere… like a bicycle travelling round and round in a tiny circle, unable to escape on to another direction, or forlorn if you will.

3. Dream Chest - “Dream Chest” is a lullaby scored for six cellos and percussion.

4. Tribulation - “Tribulation” is a reflective, somewhat sombre work with a dance feel scored for six cellos and percussion.

5. Wama ‘Bama - “Wama ‘Bama” was inspired by the recent ridiculous and cruel actions of the Governor of Alabama, regarding the abortion ban in the state.

6. Dear Flora - “Dear Flora” is scored for five cellos and was inspired by the Roman mythological deity, Flora. She is a Sabine-derived goddess of flowers and of the season of spring. This musical work is meant to strike a sad but beautiful tone within the listener’s heart as this is very much how the composer feels about the real flora of this planet…

7. Corona - Scored for up to seven cellos, “Corona” - as in coronation, is a mixture of romantic, classical writing, with funky, rhythmic, bluesy improvisation.

8. Dectet - Scored for ten cellos and percussion this work has a title for what it is… a detect,“Dectet”!

9. Giving Down - Scored for five cellos, here is a recording without a true solo cello… a bed to climb into, one might say!

10. In Flight - Scored for eight cellos and percussion, “In Flight” is a joyous, dancing work that seems to be stuck on one chord, happily so…

11. Eleven - “Journey Through Space” is scored for you guessed it, eleven cellos. This homophonic entity stretches the imagination by warping the listeners’ very perception of both time and space.

12. Death Of The Sirens - “The Death of the Sirens” is a tone poem scored for eight cellos based upon Greek Mythology. It was said that the Sirens were fated to die if any mortal should hear them sing and live to tell the story. So, once Odysseus passed them unharmed, disheartened by their humbling defeat, the Sirens hurled themselves into the sea and bothered no man ever again.

13. Chicken Neck - “Chicken Neck” is scored for eight cellos and percussion.

14. Eastern Clock - Time being relative… “Eastern Clock” is scored for cello solo and eight cello accompaniment with lite percussion.

15. Kundalini - “Kundalini” - Meditative and intimate cello ensemble music to help provoke the opening of one’s kundalini…

16. Fiddle Down - This fast paced, joyous, rustic, arrogant, and flamboyant work was composed for five cellos. It is a bit classical, a bit jazz, a bit Turkish, and more!

17. Mind State - “Mind State” is scored for five cellos and is intended to take the listener on a transparent journey through their own mind… whatever that means!

18. Penitent - “Penitent” is scored for three cellos and is a sombre, dance-like piece intended to depict regret… or a great want to turn back the clock and do things over again.

19. Rail Riders - “Rail Riders” is a bouncy, folk inspired work scored for three cellos which tends to lean a bit towards the dark side.

20. Kind Reservations - “Kind Reservations” is a reserved, energetic, and reflective singing work scored for six cellos.

21. Indomitable - “Indomitable” is a blues inspired improvisatory work scored for cello quartet.

22. Naked Fall - “Naked Fall” is a melancholic dance-like work scored for five cellos and percussion.

23. Reflection - Scored for cello quartet, “Reflection” is a mixture of jazz and french impressionist influence. Even its meter and rhythm fall victim to an impressionist style.

24. Revenant Dance - This crying, hypnotic dance features five cellos, a few effects, and percussion.

All music was composed, performed, and produced by Jeff McAuley at cellobandstudios in Binghamton, New York.

A cross between Electronica and Industrial music, "Midnight" is 1KUB's first release. Get ready for eight hard and fast tracks!