Carolo by Space Time Continuo

Like many artists, Space Time Continuo endeavoured to continue projects throughout the pandemic of 2020-21. For this recording, there were several challenges which led us to diverge from the way that we usually make classical recordings. This recording was made playing together, but into separate microphones, with large spaces between us following the health guidelines of Oscar Peterson Hall at Concordia University. Placing microphones close to the instruments allows us to isolate each player’s sound and brings certain flexibility in editing and sound control, but close miking produces a dryer sound for the bowed instruments and more intimate pick-up, meaning you can hear every breath, slap and crunch. It sounds more like what we actually hear when we are playing close to each other in concert.

It is exciting to present the ten Carolo sonatas in their first ever recording! I love the short final Allegros in the sonatas which lend themselves to improvisation and fun ornamentation as the two solo voices ricochet off each other. The singing canzonas invoke for me earlier legato polyphonic song and Italian style. Although the Carolo sonatas were written for smaller ensembles, the original edition served as a blank canvas to
fulfill Space Time Continuo’s mandate to feature the rich textures and wide soundscape possible in the continuo section. Sonatas XI, III, V and X were conceived with augmented forces and sonatas XI and III are actually new arrangements for 3 solo bass instruments and continuo. Sonata VI is performed with two bassoons, harpsichord and bowed bass (5-string low-pitched bass violin) but the other five are closer to what was suggested by the original publisher’s title page: “two solo bass instruments plus one continuo,” but with variation in the instrumentation of the solo voices and keyboard choice.

I relied on so many cherished performer colleagues to bring their individual expertise and sound to this project and I am very grateful for all of their talent and comradery. The partnership with Mark Corwin and Concordia University was invaluable.

We acknowledge support from

FACTOR
The Fund Assisting Canadian Talent On Recordings
With Support From Canada's Private Radio Broadcasters

and from

Canada Council For The Arts

whose funding made this recording possible.

Space Time Continuo is really into finding, creating, performing, and recording music for baroque bass instruments.
Amanda Keesmaat lives and plays in Montréal.

amandakeesmaat.com
spacetimecontinuo.com