Showing posts with label iyatraquartet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label iyatraquartet. Show all posts

Thursday, 8 May 2025

iyatraQuartet - Wild Green Launch

iyatraQuartet

Alice Barron - violin
Rich Phillips - cello
Will Roberts - percussion
George Sleightholme - bass clarinet
www.iyatraquartet.com

13 Apr 2025
John Lyon's Theatre, City Lit, 1-10 Keeley St, London WC2B 4BA


A special album launch concert by the iyatraQuartet to introduce their new spring 2025 album Wild Green. Sung in English, Occitan (medieval French) and Middle English the album is a collection of original compositions that are an enchanting exploration of the beauty and strength in the cycles of the natural world.

Performing together for the last twelve years – violin virtuoso Alice Barron, master clarinetist George Sleightholme, leading cellist Rich Phillips and global fusion percussion maestro, Will Roberts – fuse roots-based, folk and global music on orchestral instruments, with captivating four-part vocals.


It was the rising collective voice of the quartet that encapsulated the ethos of the album and the launch itself, together the voices lifted us to the sky and wrapped around us like Nature's embrace. The music was more than just the new shoots of spring, but a walk through the complete cycle of life. 


I read in the album notes that the title track, Wild Green, is inspired by the 12th century German writer Hildegard of Bingen but it was the song named after the trobairitz (female troubadour) Beatritz de Dia that I found truly enchanting. Beatriz is sung brilliantly in Occitan by George Sleightholme, and is where the iyatraquartet seem to excel, with an intoxicating mixture of dark and light strands, perhaps encapsulating the duality of nature and life itself. It is a language that I have started to learn too, and is still alive today, although passed from generation to generation by mouth, rather than taught in schools. The language flourishes in local pockets (I learnt mine in the fields around the small village of Cambieure) and is full of humour, vulgarity and pathos. For anyone wanting to explore a little more beyond this song then get your hands on any vinyl from the Ventadorn label. If vinyl is your thing then snap up your copy of Wild Green at www.iyatraquartet.com/product-page/wild-green-vinyl before it sells out. 



Monday, 19 October 2020

Seven Small Seas - Vinyl Joblottin' ep.13



Each week on Vinyl Joblottin’ we buy a bundle of vinyl at auction (or find one in a record shop, charity shop, car boot sale, etc). The records are a slice of a collection, giving us a glimpse into a collector’s past. Then we spin each joblot into a theme for you.

Welcome to Vinyl Joblottin'
Listen to episode 13 here - https://www.mixcloud.com/AlbanLow/seven-small-seas-vinyl-joblottin-ep13/


Every new vinyl release is an adventure worthy of celebration. Inspired by the new LP from the iyatraQuartet (Break the Dawn, 2020) I have spun their opening track Black Seas into a voyage of vinyl discovery. Our journey plunges us into seven small seas from around the globe. Starting in the Antarctic Cosmonauts Sea and ending in flames in the Icarian Sea. 

Alban Low is your Joblotter. Part of the 'A World in London' radio series. This Joblot of 6 records cost £3.32.

Tracklist
1. Ebb Tide - Ken Griffin
2. Black Seas - iyatraQuartet
3. Solidão (Song Of The Sea) - Amália Rodrigues
4. Sa Ximbomba - El Parado De Valldemossa
5. Aventure Dans Les Îles - Bob Robie
6. Dio Vi Salvi Regina - Regina Et Bruno
7. Le Ciel, Le Soleil et La Mer - François Deguelt

This radio programme is part of the A World In London Radio Series, more information at http://djritu.squarespace.com/



Monday, 21 October 2019

IyatraQuartet - Break The Dawn

Will Roberts

Alice Barron
Will Roberts
Rich Phillips
George Sleightholme

Rich Phillips
Blown away by IyatraQuartet's orchestral vision for connecting the world! Hear an exclusive preview of their their forthcoming album, 'Break The Dawn', on this #AWorldInLondon. Band members Alice Barron, Will Roberts, Rich Phillips, and George Sleightholme have scored an absolute triumph!!?? Raags, Gregorian Chants, mantras, Cuban percussion, Syrian laments, and Classical music from east to west are all in their melting pot.


Alice Barron
See IyatraQuartet at Sofarsounds Hackney October 25th and launching their first single from the new album at Boulevard Soho November 3rd! Also on this #AWIL magical music by Seby Ntege & Band (see them at SOAS Concert Series Friday 18th October) and Reem Kelani (catch her on October 19th at Musicport Festival!
Production by Sophie Darling Norman Druker Alban Low #DJRitu & sound by Patrick Bernard & Sarah Nicol  #London #globalmusic #worldmusic #classicalmusic #livemusic #music #radio #IyatraQuartet Next week Brazilian choro masters Alvorada Music 6.30pm Resonance 104.4fm
George Sleightholme