Dutch contemporary ensemble specializing in alternative tuning systems and microtonality; active since 2006 and based in Amsterdam. It was founded as
Trio Scordatura by microtonalist and keyboard player
Bob Gilmore (1961—2015) and continued as
Scordatura Ensemble by two co-founders,
Alfrun Schmid (vocals) and
Elisabeth Smalt (viola). They followed Gilmore's wishes, who planned to explore the broader repertoire beyond the original "female voice, viola and MIDI keyboard" configuration while still alive. (The group's name,
scordatura, Italian for "discord" or "mistuning," is a term in Western classical music for purposefully detuning string quartet instruments to create an unusual sound effect.)
Scordatura grew out of Gilmore's "Amsterdam Partch Project," launched in 2002 and dedicated to American composer
Harry Partch (1901—1974). Bob brought together a trio to perform one of Partch's early '30s cycles for
Intoning Voice, Adapted Viola and Chromelodeon, using an exact copy of "Adapted Viola," built in 2001 and authorized by the [url=https://discogs.com/label/2150974]Harry Partch Foundation[/url]. Following the "Truth about Tune" tour in 2002, Scordatura continued exploring Partch music, arranging the "Rose Petal Jam" tour in 2017 and an ongoing "Tonality Flux." The ensemble's collection of Partch instruments now features
Diamond Marimba built by
Aart Strootman,
Adapted Guitars I & II prepared by
James Mumford,
Lucas Van Helsdingen's
Tin Oboe, several replicas designed by
Christian Smalt, and many more.
Besides Harry Partch's music, the ensemble premiered numerous commissions from other prominent XX-century composers, including
Horatiu Radulescu,
François-Bernard Mâche,
Peter Adriaansz,
Christopher Fox,
Marc Sabat,
Yannis Kyriakides,
Anne La Berge,
Anton Lukoszevieze,
Ned McGowan,
Scott McLaughlin,
Kate Moore,
Harald Muenz,
Lisa Illean,
Anna Mikhailova,
Santa Ratniece,
Evija Skuķe,
Guy De Bièvre and
Merijn Bisschops. The group has been extensively collaborating with American composer and filmmaker
Phill Niblock and worked with other notable contemporary orchestras, such as
Crash Ensemble from Ireland, Dutch Ensemble Klang, and
The Nelly Boyd Ensemble from Germany.
Scordatura Trio/Ensemble performed at such prestigious venues and events as Ensemble Klang, Ensemble Klang in Ghent, Belgium, Ensemble Klang in Los Angeles and Amsterdam, Ensemble Klang festival in Hamburg, Ensemble Klang in London, and many more across Europe and the UK. The ensemble organized educational projects and masterclasses at Ensemble Klang and Ensemble Klang.
Scordatura Ensemble's most recent studio album, featuring music by a British composer
Frank Denyer (b. 1943), was recorded in 2021 and scheduled to release by Ensemble Klang label. It features various guests members:
Janneke Van Prooijen and
Jellantsje de Vries (violins),
Alistair Sung (cello),
Dario Calderone and
Pietro Elia Barcellona (contrabasses),
Jos Zwaanenburg (flutes), and
Stefan Blonk (horn).
SCORDATURA Line-ups"Tonality Flux" tour (since October 2020)
Elisabeth Smalt — violas, artistic direction
Alfrun Schmid — voice, artistic direction
Chris Rainier — vocals, Adapter Guitars I/II & III, research
Reinier Van Houdt — keyboards
Lucia Mense — flutes, recorders, whistles
Keiko Shichijo — Chromelodeon, Bass Marimba, keyboards
Orlando Velázquez — percussion
"Rose Petal Jam" tour (2017–2019)
Elisabeth Smalt — Adapted Viola, Diamond Marimba, Flexatone, Cloud Chamber Bowls
Alfrun Schmid — voice, Harmonic Canon
Chris Rainier — vocals, Adapted Guitars I & II
Reinier van Houdt — Chromelodeon, Bass Marimba, Mazda Marimba, keyboards, Cloud Chamber Bowls, Adapted Guitar III
Lucia Mense — Tin Flute, recorders, flutes
Lucas Van Helsdingen — Tin Oboe, Indian Drum, oboe, bass clarinet
Samuel Vriezen — Kithara I
Huib Ramaer — announcement, presentation, texts
