Verdigris is the bluish-green patina that forms on copper surfaces when exposed to atmospheric oxidation or through other similar chemical reactions. The three multi-section pieces on this record reflect the basic stages of verdigris formation, filtered through the lens of two longstanding collaborators navigating their individual and collective musical languages across 5 recording sessions. Among the processes governing the interaction of these musical languages, the most prevalent are juxtaposition, complement, alignment, opposition and synthesis.
Dan O'Brien and Silvain Castellano began playing music together in 2008, starting in modern jazz groups and branching out into all sorts of other settings, including free music ensembles and as a duo. "Verdigris" is their first duo recording and the culmination of a decade of evolving work together.
1. Oxidation: Part 1 05:32
2. Oxidation: Part 2 03:52
3. Oxidation: Part 3 09:17
4. Hydrogenation: Part 1 06:30
5. Hydrogenation: Part 2 01:34
6. Hydrogenation: Part 3 10:45
7. Hydrogenation: Part 4 01:12
8. Hydrogenation: Part 5 12:46
9. Patination: Part 1 07:12
10. Patination: Part 2 09:41
11. Patination: Part 3 05:30
Dan O'Brien - baritone saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet
Silvain Castellano - viola da gamba
Recorded November 2018 - March 2019 at Phonoemulsion Studio, Palmer, MA
© Phonoemulsion Records 2021
Mixed January 2020 by Dan O'Brien and Silvain Castellano
Album Design by Dan O'Brien
