mark wastell : violoncello & amplified textures

biography

Much of Mark Wastell's relationship with his chosen instrument is concentrated on the tactile, textural and sonic possibilities of both violoncello and bow. He is increasingly interested in working with extreme elements drawn from frequency, timbre and pitch.

His early activity was consciously and subconsciously influenced by a variety of improvising musicians. Subsequent exposure to contemporary composers lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of the works written for strings by Feldman, Cage, Nono, Lachenmann and Sciarrino. The use of live electronics and music concrete by Tudor, Parmegiani, Xenakis and others was another important early influence. In more recent times, Mark has also begun to explore sound material outside of the cello, working with contact mics, amplified textures and electronics.

Wastell's current instrumental material primarily focuses on using abstract principles of space, time and texture - encompassing elements of new London silence, pro-acoustic minimalism, new complexity and pan-global reductionism. Because of the very nature of his chosen instrument, he tends to favour 'chamber' style ensembles and has worked with a number of regular groups, including:

CHRIS BURN'S ENSEMBLE
with John Butcher [saxophones], Rhodri Davies [harp], John Russell [acoustic guitar] & Matt Hutchinson [synthesizers, electronics].

DEREK BAILEY'S COMPANY
with Will Gaines [tap dance], Simon Fell [double bass], Rhodri Davies [harp].

EVAN PARKER'S STRING PROJECT
with Peter Cusack [bazouki, electronics], Hugh Davies [homemade instruments], Rhodri Davies [harp], Phil Durrant [violin], John Edwards [double bass], Kaffe Matthews [sampler, electronics], Marcio Mattos [violoncello], John Russell [acoustic guitar] and others.

ASSUMED POSSIBILITIES
with Chris Burn [piano], Rhodri Davies [harp] & Phil Durrant [violin].

THE SEALED KNOT
with Burkhard Beins [percussion] & Rhodri Davies [harp].

IST
with Simon Fell [double bass] & Rhodri Davies [harp].

BROKEN CONSORT
with Rhodri Davies [harp] & Matt Davis [trumpet]

BELASKA
with Mattin [laptop electronics].

TRIO
with Matt Davies [trumpet], Phil Durrant [laptop electronics].

ADHOC COLLABORATIONS
Jerome Noetinger, Axel Dorner, Xavier Charles, Andrea Neumann, Martine Altenberger, Annette Krebbs, David Stackenas, Nikos Veliotis, Alessandro Bosetti, Ignaz Schick, Giuseppe Iesali, Ingar Zach, Toshi Nakamura, Taku Sugimoto, Tetuzi Akiyama, John Zorn, Keith Rowe, Peter Kowald, Roger Turner, Veryan Weston, Lol Coxhill, Mark Sanders, Hans Koch, Phil Minton, Max Eastley, Eddie Prevost, Steve Beresford & Louis Moholo.

As a soloist Mark has played at the Micro-classical Festival (London 1996), LMC Festival (London 2000) and the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (2000). He has travelled extensively with various groups, performing on tour and at festivals in the USA, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Japan and Greece.

Recordings:

1995 - ICARUS [fmr]
icarus

1995 - IST [siwa]
anagrams to avoid

1996 - COLLISION DUO [confront]
refraction

1996 - SCANT [confront]
live at the club room

1997 - IST [confront]
consequences (of time and place)

1997 - VERYAN WESTON TRIO [fmr sampler]
little movements

1997 - CHRIS BURN'S ENSEMBLE [acta]
navigations

1998 - IST [bruces finger]
ghost notes

1998 - SIMON H. FELL [bruces fingers]
composition no.30: compilation III

1998 - ASSUMED POSSIBILITIES [confront]
s/t

1998 - EVAN PARKER [emanem]
strings with

1999 - DEREK BAILEY'S COMPANY [incus]
live in marseille

1999 - JOHN WALL [utterpsalm]
constructions I-IV

1999 - LOL COXHILL [emanem]
spectral soprano

2000 - THE SEALED KNOT [confront]
s/t

2000 - LONDON IMPROVISERS ORCHESTRA [emanem]
the hearing continues

2000 - RELAY 8 [2.13]
s/t

2000 - QUATUOR ACCORDE [emanem]
angel gate

2000 - JOHN WALL [utterpsalm]
constructions V-VII

2001 - M.DAVIS/P.DURRANT/M.WASTELL
[confront]

2001 - R.DAVIES/M.DAVIS.A.ROMBOLLA/M.WASTELL
[confront]

future performances

For more information about specific concerts or enquiries regards bookings, please contact Mark Wastell at sound323@aol.com

01.08.02
ASSUMED POSSIBILITIES
Chris Burn [piano], Phil Durrant [violin], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
Fruits de Mhere Festival, Mhere, France.

26.08.02
Graham Halliwell [saxophone feedback] + mw [amplified textures, contact mics]
The Bonnington Centre, Vauxhall, London.

20.09.02
IST
Simon Fell [double bass], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
Festival, Milan, Italy.

29.09.02
Matt Davis [trumpet], Phil Durrant [laptop electronics] + mw
Wheatsheaf Hall, Vauxhall, London.

11.10.02
BELASKA
Mattin [computer feedback] + mw [amplified textures, contact mic]
Wheatsheaf Hall, Vauxhall, London.

31.10.02
Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Wales.

04.11.02
Rhodri Davies [harp], Matt Davies [trumpet] + mw
St. Cyprian's Church, Baker Street, London.

recent past performances

01.07.02
BELASKA
Mattin: computer feedback + mw [amplified textures, contact mics]
The Bonnington Centre, Vauxhall, London.

27.05.02
BELASKA
Mattin: computer feedback + mw [amplified textures, contact mics]
St. Cyprian's Church, Baker Street, London.

11.05.2002
Matt Davis: trumpet + mw
Derby Dance Centre, Derby.

10.05.2002
Matt Davis: trumpet + mw
Fracture, Blue Coat Art Gallery, Liverpool.

09.05.2002
Matt Davis: trumpet + mw
Other Music, Sheffield.

05.05.2002
Matt Davis: trumpet + mw
Freedom of the City Festival, Conway Hall, London.

16.04.2002
CHRIS BURN'S ENSEMBLE
Chris Burn [piano], John Butcher [tenor & soprano saxophones], John Russell [guitar], Matt Hutchinson [synthesizers], Angharad Davies [violin], Matt Davis [trumpet], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
St.Cyprian's Church, Baker Street, London.

12-14.04.2002
Matt Davis: trumpet + mw
Can Serat Festival, Barcelona, Spain.

08.04.2002
Michael Duck [double bass], Matt Davis [trumpet] + mw
Bonnington Centre, Vauxhall, London.

29.03.2002
Toshimaru Nakamura [no-input mixing board], Tom Chant [laptop electronics], Paul Hood [record player, mixer, delay, contact mics] + mw [wind-up gramophone, cd player, contact mics, amplified textures]
The Klinker, London.

25.03.2002
Ute Volker: accordian, John Russell: acoustic guitar + mw

22.03.2002
Taku Sugimoto [acoustic guitar], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw [violoncello]
Sound 323, Highgate, London.

21.03.2002
Taku Sugimoto [contact mic, objects], Tom Chant [laptop electronics], Paul Hood [battery operated record player, processing, delays, contact mic] + mw [amplified tectures, contact mic, cd player]
Hat on Wall, Farringdon, London.

17.03.2002
Matt Davis [trumpet] + mw
Audit, China Town, London.

12.03.2002
BROKEN CONSORT
Matt Davis [trumpet], Rhodri Davies [harp], Angharad Davies [violin], Tom Chant [soprano saxophone], Chris Burn [piano], Mattin [laptop electronics] + mw
St.Cyprians Church, Baker Street, London.

06.02.2002
QUATUOR ACCORDE
Charlotte Hug [viola], Phil Durrant [violin], Tony Wren [double bass] + mw
Red Rose Theatre, Finsbury Park, London.

04.02.2002
Phil Durrant [laptop electronics] + mw
Bonnington Centre, Vauxhall, London.

19.01.2002
Taku Sugimoto [guitar], Toshi Nakamura [no-input mixing board], Tetuzi Akiyama [turntable, electronics, contact mics] + mw
Gallery Off Site, Tokyo, Japan.

14.12.2001 - 15.12.2001
REAL TIME MUSIC MEETING
Ute Volker [accordian], Jerome Noetinger (electronics], Birgit Ulher [trumpet], Tim Hodgkinson [lap-steel guitar, clarinet], Ingar Zach [percussion], John Edwards [double bass], Sophie Agnel [piano] + mw
Munson Theatre, Hamburg, Germany.

30.11.2001
Rhodri Davies [harp], Giuseppe Ielasi [guitar] + mw
Bologne, Italy.

29.11.2001
Rhodri Davies [harp], Giuseppe Ielasi [guitar], Renato Renaldi [piano frame] + mw
Udine, Italy.

22.11.2001
solo performance
All Angels, Turnham Green, London.

03.11.2001
BROKEN CONSORT
Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
FRIM Festival, Stockholm, Sweden.

01.11.2001
IST
Rhodri Davies [harp], Simon Fell [double bass], + mw
Total Music Meeting, Podewil, Berlin, Germany.

24.10.2001
QUATUOR ACCORDE
Tony Wren [double bass], Phil Durrant [violin], Charlotte Hug [viola] + mw
Madrid Festival, Spain.

20.10.2001
RELAY
Madrid Festival, Spain.

19.10.2001
Matt Davis [trumpet], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
Madrid Festival, Spain.

11.10.2001
STRINGS WITH EVAN PARKER
Evan Parker [soprano saxophone], Chris Burn [piano], Rhodri Davies [harp], Aleks Kolkowski [violin], Sylvia Hallett [violin], Sue Ferrar [violin], Phil Wachsmann [viola], Charlotte Hug [viola], Marcio Mattos [cello], Ben Davis [cello], Hugh Davies [homemade instruments], John Edwards [double bass] + mw
All Angels, Turnham Green, London.

06.10.2001
Ute Volker [accordian], Xavier Charles [clarinet], Uli Bocher [electronics] + mw
Kuba, Munster, Germany.

05.10.2001
Ute Volker [accordian], Xavier Charles [clarinet], Uli Bocher [electronics] + mw
Neue Kirche, Wuppertal, Germany.

29.09.2001
THE SEALED KNOT (uk tour)
Burkhard Beins [percussion], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
Rising Sun, Reading.

28.09.2002
THE SEALED KNOT (uk tour)
Burkhard Beins [percussion], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
All Angels, Turnham Green, London.

27.06.2001 - 1pm
THE SEALED KNOT (uk tour)
Burkhard Beins [percussion], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
St.Paul's Hall, Huddersfield.

27.09.2001
THE SEALED KNOT (uk tour)
Burkhard Beins [percussion], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
Other Music, Sheffield.

26.09.2001
THE SEALED KNOT (uk tour)
Burkhard Beins [percussion], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.

25.09.2001
THE SEALED KNOT (uk tour)
Burkhard Beins [percussion], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
The Strand, Cheltenham.

03.08.2001 - 04.08.2001
Frederic Blondy [piano], Rhodri Davies [harp], Martine Altenburger [violoncello] + mw
Fruits de Mhere Festival, Mhere, France.

15.07.2001
Phil Durrant [violin] + mw
Red Rose Theatre, Finsbury Park, London.

12.07.2001
Nikos Veliotis [violoncello] + mw
All Angels, Turnham Green, London.

25.06.2001
Matt Davis [trumpet], David Stackenas [guitar] + mw
Jazz Si, Barcelona, Spain.

22.06.2001
Matt Davis [trumpet], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
Metronom Gallery, Barcelona, Spain.

12.06.2001
BROKEN CONSORT
Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
All Angels, Turnham Green, London.

31.05.2001
Angarad Davies [violin] + mw
All Angels, Turnham Green, London.

20.05.2001
BROKEN CONSORT
Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
Red Rose Theatre, Finsbury Park, London.

06.05.2001
ENSEMBLE
Chris Burn [piano], John Butcher [saxophones], Matt Hutchinson [synthesizers], John Russell [guitar] + mw
Freedom of the City Festival, Conway Hall, London.

05.05.2001
STRINGS WITH EVAN PARKER
Evan Parker [soprano saxophone], Sue Ferrar [violin], Phil Durrant [violin], Marcio Mattos [violoncello], Peter Cusack [guitar], John Russell [guitar], Sylvia Hallett [violin], Chris Burn [piano], John Edwards [double bass], Phil Wachsmann [violin], Kaffe Matthews [sampler] + mw
Freedom of the City Festival, Conway Hall, London.

02.05.2001
QUATUOR ACCORDE
Tony Wren [double bass], Charlotte Hug [viola], Phil Durrant [violin] + mw
Red Rose Theatre, Finsbury Park, London.

26.04.2001
THE SEALED KNOT
Burkhard Beins [percussion], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
Berlin, Germany.

25.04.2001
Burkhard Beins [percussion], Rhodri Davies [harp], Jurgen Morgenstern [double bass] + mw
Hannover Jazz Festival, Hannover, Germany.

24.04.2001
Burkhard Beins [percussion], Rhodri Davies [harp], Jurgen Morgenstern [double bass] + mw
Bremen, Germany.

20.04.2001
COMPANY
Derek Bailey [guitar], Will Gaines [tap dance], Rhodri Davies [harp], Simon Fell [double bass], Joey Baron [drums], Annie Gosfield [sampler, keyboard], Jennifer Chio [violin], Min Xu Fen [pipa] + mw
Tonic, New York City, USA.

19.04.2001
COMPANY
Derek Bailey [guitar], Will Gaines [tap dance], Rhodri Davies [harp], Simon Fell [double bass], John Zorn [alto saxophone], Joey Baron [drums], Annie Gosfield [sampler, keyboard], Jennifer Chio [violin], Min Xu Fen [pipa] + mw
Tonic, New York City, USA.

18.04.2001
COMPANY
Derek Bailey [guitar], Will Gaines [tap dance], Rhodri Davies [harp], Simon Fell [double bass], John Zorn [alto saxophone], Joey Baron [drums], Jennifer Chio [violin], Annie Gosfield [sampler, keyboard], Min Xu Fen [pipa] + mw
Tonic, New York City, USA.

17.04.2001
IST
Rhodri Davies [harp], Simon Fell [double bass] + mw
Tonic, New York City, USA.

08.04.2001
NORTH POLE QUARTET
Phil Durrant [violin], Chris Cundy [bass clarinet, soprano saxophone], Mindy Lee [alto clarinet] + mw
Pump Room, Cheltenham.

06.04.2001
ENSEMBLE
Chris Burn [piano], John Butcher [tenor & soprano saxophones], Matt Hutchinson [synthesizers], John Russell [acoustic guitar], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
Bangor New Music Festival, Bangor University, Wales.

04.04.2001
Martine Altenburger [violoncello], Marcio Mattos [violoncello] + mw
All Angels, Turnham Green, London.

17.03.2001
NECESSAIRE
Alessandro Bosetti [soprano saxophone], Burkhard Beins [percussion], Ignaz Schick [electronics] + mw
All Angels, Turnham Green, London.

12.03.2001
Phil Durrant [violin] + mw
Bonningtons Centre, Vauxhall, London.

27.02.2001
John Butcher [tenor & soprano saxophones], Steve Noble [percussion], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
Sound 323, Highgate, London.

24.02.2001
NECESSAIRE
Alessandro Bosetti [soprano saxophone], Burkhard Beins [percussion], Ignaz Schick [electronics] + mw
Hannover, Germany.

22.02.2001
NECESSAIRE
Alessandro Bosetti [soprano saxophone], Burkhard Beins [percussion], Ignaz Schick [electronics] + mw
Frosch, Berlin, Germany.

16.02.2001
NECESSAIRE
Alessandro Bosetti [soprano saxophone], Burkhard Beins [percussion], Ignaz Schick [electronics] + mw
Huttweil, Switzerland.

15.02.2001
NECESSAIRE
Alessandro Bosetti [soprano saxophone], Burkhard Beins [percussion], Ignaz Schick [electronics] + mw
Bern, Switzerland.

21.01.2001
ENSEMBLE
Chris Burn [piano], John Butcher [tenor & soprano saxophones], Matt Hutchinson [synthesizers], John Russell [acoustic guitar], Rhodri Davies [harp] + mw
Red Rose Theatre, Finsbury Park, London.