INVOCATION
INVOCATION: SHIMMERING GUITAR AND LUTE DUETS COMPOSED AND IMPROVISED
(MSK 153)
During a rigorous three week tour of Europe guitarist-composer Bruce
Arnold
took a breather in the beautiful city of Bruges, to visit with Gilbert
Isbin, also a composer and guitarist. The two had initiated an
online correspondence, exchanging music and ideas for a year, and when
the opportunity arose for Arnold to perform in Belgium, it also became
an opportunity to collaborate on a recording. The result is
“Invocation,” a series of evocative acoustic excursions.
Isbin also played lute, adding it’s distinctive, limpid tone to the
richness of the two guitars. “it was a rare opportunity for me to
play with someone who could also play lute,” says Arnold, “I really
fell in love with the instrument, the sound is so delicate and you can
easily overpower it, so it is crucial to play to it, and not over it. “
Both musicians brought their original compositions to the effort.
With its strong modal structure, the title track “Invocation” shows
Isbin’s lyrical side, while “Knomish” reveals a more angular, rhythmic
approach. Arnold supplied "A Day in the Badlands" a 12 tone structured
tune with a spacious melody and a minimalist palette. Known more for
his electric guitar playing, here he is heard playing classical guitar,
with a deep tone and precise touch. Both players worked together
to create a sound that is seductive to the ear. The free
improvisational pieces, with their contrapuntal passages and inherent
lyricism reflect the strong sense of structure that each musician
possesses.