Peter Broderick and Ensemble 0 bring Arthur Russell’s work back to life

Fruit of very long years of research and transcription, the album Give It to the Sky: Arthur Russell’s Tower of Meaning Expanded by Peter Broderick and the excellent ensemble 0 (collective gravitating in the sphere of minimalism) presents an extremely delicate and sensitive revisit of Arthur Russell’s epic orchestral composition created in 1983 as well as previously unreleased pieces by the American visionary, restored and re-recorded . As a preview of the total work that will be released in the fall on the Erased Tapes label, here is one of the unreleased songs from the disc accompanied by a video filmed by Vincent Moon:

The unclassifiable Arthur Russel, cellist and composer of contemporary music, indie rock, country and new wave, spawned with Bob Wilson, Allen Ginsberg and the New York avant-garde. Died of AIDS in 1994, he left a monumental archive but only three albums have appeared, including Tower of Meaning, Bob Wilson’s initial commission for his opera Medea. For the record, Bob Wilson had thought of Philip Glass but the latter suggested that he take Russell. The collaboration between the latter leading to an impasse, it was Gavin Bryars who signed the music for the opera. Julius Eastman conducted the recording of Russell’s version and Philipp Glass released it on his own label in a limited run. Ensemble 0 now offers a new chance to this neglected composition by Russell. to be understood and heard:

Passionate to the point of obsession with Russell’s work, Peter Broderick bought one of his original copies and has been playing some of the composer’s songs for a long time. Just like the unsung genius in his lifetime, who became a cult figure sampled by Kanye West, Peter Broderick and Ensemble 0 don’t like the definitive versions. They evolve their score on stage, in particular with the setting in motion and in lights of Christian Rizzo and Caty Olive. We listen to the third title of the album “which delves deep into the wondrous and mysterious world that is The Tower of Meaning “, says Boderick:

The Scrapbook Give It to the Sky: Arthur Russell’s Tower of Meaning Expanded will be released on October 6 on the Tapes label.

In concert :

On November 8 in Poitiers, for the first
18 November in Anglet – Quintaou 2 Theater
January 23, 2024 in Rezé – La Soufflerie
January 31, 2024 in Pau – Le Foirail
ON March 20, 2024 in Brussels – Klara Festival