A Slice of "Orange"
“There is almost no better way to get to know a person than to be in a (chamber) group with them,”
Think about taking the first bite of an orange. The sweetness of the juice, bitterness of the rind, and perhaps the surprising sour taste of fruit not yet ripe fills a familiar experience with a multitude of unique possibilities. This everchanging unique occurrence is what Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Caroline Shaw, and Grammy award-winning ensemble, Attacca Quartet, want you to experience when listening to Orange. The album consists of 10 pieces that range from a 16 minute movement, “Ritornello 2.sq.2.j.a.,” to the shortest movement, “Plan and Elevation IV: The Orangery”, at just under two minutes. Orange was met with wild success, and the Attacca Quartet was awarded a Grammy in 2020 for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance.
After listening to this album, it was obvious this group was the perfect choice to bring Caroline Shaw’s music to life. The imaginative forces behind Attacca Quartet exhibit sharp textures, shades of vibrant colors, and rhythms re-imagined by unabandoned performers. The ensemble performs as one mind and body. Breathing and execution is unified as if a single person was playing an uber-string instrument. The violin becomes indistinguishable from the cello that transports the listener to a garden of ethereal bliss, joy, and vibrancy. The spirit of this music alludes to Bartok folk songs with a dash of adventurous Ravel, bonded with rhythmic chordal patterns reminiscent of Phillip Glass. The experience is unique and truly resembles the music of the spheres.
Orange is introduced in the first piece, “Entr'acte,” with rhythmic pulses. The strings’ lack of vibrato lends to an almost organ-like texture. Shaw explores a playful use of sound and silence with textures of harmonics, brushing bow technique, and pizzicato. The introduction vibrates youthful energy with a contentment of joy in the present moment. A new section is introduced and full of mystery with steady, light pizzicato and creeping violin . Wild pizzicato jumps across the room and then erupts in bariolage like colored rays of bursting light. The contrasts keep the listener constantly in a state of perplexity and anticipation. Faint whale songs melt into the original rhythmic pulses that initiate the piece, then dissolve into oblivion. “Entr’acte” ends with angelic harp-like pizzicato. Perhaps this piece represents the violent conception of a seed? A simple small bead is completely destroyed when it sprouts. It then has the potential to grow into life that brings oxygen and sustenance.
Listen to Orange now!
Meet Andrew Yee: Cellist of Grammy award- winning ensemble, Attacca Quartet
When did you start playing the cello and what inspired you to choose this instrument?
I started playing the cello when I was 10 years old in the public school system. I wasn't intending to be a cellist when I was 10. The strings teacher came to the classroom and played all of the instruments. She was a violinist and played something really beautiful on the violin and played something really beautiful on the viola, and then she was a really bad cellist and played the theme from Jaws. That's when I knew I wanted to be a cellist.
Who was your favorite music teacher and why?
My middle school / high school orchestra teacher, Kathy Dow (now Kathy Borgezanni) was really influential to me because she brought a lot of joy to music and she made it seem really fun. That was something I identified about her before I was even in her class. I just knew she was really cool and really fun. That sort of rubbed off on me especially now. I think about what my job is as a musician? My job as a musician is to make sure people have a good time and forget about the days they've had and sort of relax into the music. I think the more us musicians can project that atmosphere, the better.
What did your practice habits look like growing up?
I was diagnosed early on with ADHD. I had a lot of trouble concentrating. What I never had a hard time concentrating on was making art. Whether it was drawing or playing cello for fun, that was always great. It was when I had to buckle down and do really hard work that was always an issue. When I was a kid I tried to practice a lot. I had my teacher and parents that helped me keep on track. As I got older I realized the feeling of not being able to stay on track for a very long time didn't go away. I started to think: What problems do I need to solve today? When I practice (I ask) : What can I not play? How can I go from this point to this point and can play it in 15-30 minutes? Practicing smart is more important than counting the hours.
How would you describe the album, Orange?
To us, as a quartet, it is about the pure joy of loving music. Not wondering about will it be received as serious or passionate, or worrying about any of those things. This is our feeling; If you like us and trust us, we promise you'll like this.
Why is the album called Orange ?
We went back and forth about what we wanted people to feel when they listened to it. We hadn't named the album until after we had recorded it. We were all in Boston when we recorded it.... There was this sense of exploration and joy that pervaded the whole experience. I think Caroline had been thinking about the concept that something as simple as a supermarket valencia orange, something you have handled, a thousand times, but the first bite is something always special and you can always find something new about it. I think that is how it came to be.
Describe the relationship dynamic of Attacca Quartet.
The interpersonal dynamics of the quartet are impossible to describe unless you've been in a quartet for 18 years. In the same way you ask a married couple how their love has evolved over the last 20 years, it is a really complicated answer. Even if the couple is very much in love, it evolves. The thing about a quartet is that it's not a romantic relation, it's a business relation, but you need to have the same interests in each other that you do in a romantic relationship. There's a disconnect. It's a unique experience to be linked to a human being in that sort of relationship.
There is almost no better way to get to know a person than to be in a (chamber) group with them, you learn, are you listening to me? Are you funny? Sensitive? Flexible? Self-Centered? You learn these things instantly when you start to learn a piece with them. When you sit down in a room with someone who really gets you and is listening to you and makes you sound better than you normally do, that is an incredible feeling, of being held up by somebody. That is the intoxicating feeling. That is the reason why I've been in a quartet for 18 years. My quartet mates make me a better cellist than I would have been without them
Many of the upcoming Attacca Quartet performances have been canceled or postponed. Has your ensemble been able to practice or record in the meantime?
We are going to be recording a follow up Caroline Shaw Vol. 2 album soon. Then another album of electronic music in December. We have a busy recording schedule ahead of us.
You have been a wonderful advocate for new composers and musicians during this time with National Sawdust and Mindful Minutes. Do you have any other projects or performances in the works?
I have a solo project I'm working on called “halfie” that is a solo cello self discovery project. I'm mixed race and non-binary: playing music of composers that share a certain aspect of my life with me and putting on a whole show is a way I am learning about my past, my future, and my present. I also co-run an organization called ChamberQueer, that programs the music of great composers of different times periods and implies queer musicians around that.
9. What hobbies do you have outside of performing music?
I've gotten back into visual art. I started focusing one year at a time on different aspects. I did a year of charcoal, and then I did a year of pastel, and now I'm beginning a year of watercolor. I'm learning the basics of each art as they apply to me. And I cook a lot!
10. What advice would you give to musicians today?
The one piece of advice I have to to be nice to your colleagues. Not only is it good manners, but they are going to be the people who hire in the future. If you are mean to somebody, they're probably not going to call you. It also just doesn't hurt to be nice.
The Attacca Quartet currently consists of Amy Schroeder and Domenic Salerni on violin, Nathen Schram on viola, and Andrew Yee on cello. Check out the following resources if you are interested in learning more about The Attacca Quartet or Caroline Shaw.
Attacca Quartet Website: www.AttaccaQuartet.com
Attacca Quartet Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/attaccaquartet/
Caroline Shaw Website: https://carolineshaw.com/
Even better! Buy the album or get involved in a chamber music ensemble. Chamber music ensemble classes will be offered at Sayla Music Academy in September 2020. Check it out!
About the Author
Carol Ann is the co-owner of Sayla Music Academy where she also teaches cello. With a passion for music and collaboration she can be seen performing in many local orchestras and ensembles. Through this blog she communicates her ideas, opinions, and fantastic interactions with musicians and artists from all over the world!
Sayla Music Academy is dedicated to the cultivation of strong communities through quality music education and engaging music performances. We offer one-on-one private lessons that improve cognitive skills, build responsibility, enhance dedication, and relieve stress. Students have the opportunity to participate in group ensembles that promote positive social interactions and builds self-confidence through regular solo and group performances. By providing a music school to the local community they continue to promote and encourage people of all ages and walks of life to participate and experience music!