Dear Éliane Radigue left us on February 23. For twenty years, we worked hand in hand as she slowly unfurled her magnificent music for acoustic instruments. Beyond producing exquisite sounds, her practice instilled a new heighten way of listening in those of us who worked with her and somehow improved us all. It is paramount that this special music continues to resonant far and wide.

The last OCCAM – OCCAM HEXA 8 – Éliane Radigue / Carol Robinson – Echoi        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0N9ZP9eB4A

What a pleasure to write for the Lyon based choir SPIRITO. My piece Così bella refers to the famous Bella Ciao, but with lyrics sung by the Modine; young Italian women who toiled in the rice fields. It will be toured next season.

Modine (rice weeders) These women from the poorest backgrounds spent the spring barefoot, with their skirts hiked up, wading through mud up to their knees, as they weeded and transplanted rice for days on end. Only their collective singing allowed them to endure the harshness of this thankless work, besieged by mosquitoes beneath a merciless sun.

Radio France interviewed me for a broadcast about the influence of Luciano Berio’s Sequenze on composers. I thought of my ongoing fascination for those singular works and remembered his kindness when I worked with him so many years ago.

https://www.radiofrance.fr/francemusique/podcasts/creation-grand-format/l-influence-des-sequenze-de-berio-sur-les-compositeurs-trices-d-aujourd-hui-9145546?fbclid=IwY2xjawN3UQtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHu4bLv7tEJbsOqrdLVYYJF31dU1rBRt-dqqjg8zuJrMblyI3dGuXZoAQ0bfj_aem_kzdrAu7r_3LBwPdLivG8MQ

Recording Sequenza IX for clarinet for MODE RECORDS gave me particular insight into the piece.

https://moderecords.com/catalog/161_4berio/

In July, Rhodri Davies and I had the great pleasure of recording Éliane Radigue’s OCCAM RIVER XVI; 53 minutes of stunning music for birbyne and harp. Working with Christophe Hauser at the excellent Studio Sextan near Paris was bliss. The recording will be released on shiiin in 2026.

Broadcast on France Musique Sunday, June 15 at 9pm (Carrefour de la Création)
A l’Improviste with Violaine Gestalder / Loris Pinot, then the trio Carol Robinson / Charlotte Testu / Serge Teyssot-Gay.

https://www.radiofrance.fr/francemusique/podcasts/a-l-improviste/a-l-improviste-avec-violaine-gestalder-et-loris-binot-puis-le-trio-carol-robinson-charlotte-testu-et-serge-teyssot-gay-8218622  

the clip

https://youtu.be/8jBe6_ElWKI

Carol Robinson – composition, text, bass clarinet
Serge Teyssot-Gay – electric guitar

Christophe Hauser – recording, mixing & mastering
Charles Bascou – computer sound design
Ivana Boris – cover photo

Accueil en résidence et enregistrement au GMEM — Centre national de création musicale (Marseille)

Just released !! Stop Killing Us is a totally unclassifiable hybridization of contemporary music and rock,  where the sounds of bass clarinet and electric guitar are intertwined by live electronics. Carol Robinson’s strangely beautiful words add an extra dimension. This essential recording transports us into a personal and pertinent fantasy world

Available in stores and on Bandcamp.   https://carol-robinson.bandcamp.com/album/stop-killing-us

Thanks to director Szuhwa Wu, Ensemble POTE premiered L’illusion des étangs II (2024) 14′ – (2 flutes, clarinet, 2 cellos, violin, double bass and glockenspiel) at the very cool POTE Festival in Besançon. These musicians are really great!