Some performing groups seem to spring suddenly into life; from the beginning of their formation it is as if they had always been there. Other groups feel their way gradually into existence, and that history is part of the composite sound that eventually emerges. This quartet was rather like the second example; its members had often performed together in various contexts, but the Quartet was a leap into the unknown.

Lawrence has released duo CDs with both Philipp and Jean-Michel. He has performed often with Philipp since joining the Evan Parker Electro-Acoustic Ensemble in 1998. They have appeared in various different groupings, including trios with Jean-Michel, and other groups involving all three.

Jean-Michel and Lawrence have performed together as a duo and in many other collaborations. Pascal has recorded a duo with Jean-Michel, and played in the TPRP Quartet. which includes Philipp. For Pascal and Lawrence this was a new relationship. Of course, all the players have collaborated with many other musicians, but it is on this quartet that we are focusing here.

Each of the four has made a journey to create his own instrument; Pascal developing his microtonal 10 string guitar and the many playing techniques he uses; Jean-Michel building his unique vocal instrument; Philipp’s phenomenal approach to the violin built over many years; Lawrence’s long journey to the Signal Processing Instrument. Each player, and each instrument, has his own special sound, and it is the marrying interaction of these sounds that makes the music. How these four disparate sounds evolved into a singular unity is part of the magic of improvisation.

The first performances of this quartet in London, in Brighton and Cambridge, showed great potential. It took more work and faith, Becoming a fascinating and concentrated empathy, as happened during later performances in various venues, especially at Mopomoso in 2024, which is the first track on this album. The quartet opened different perspectives and shifting, interactive soundscapes which are journeying into new territories Beyond each possible duo of these four individualities. This process led to a concert and recording session in Oxford in June, 2025. The third track is the performance that occured on that evening, and the second track is a take from the afternoon recording session, which leads the group into new areas of interactions Between all the players. The rise of the unexpected and the unknown is at the core of free improvisation, an endless search through mutual listening and collective playing; even through the blind spots and, not so evident, the challenging combination of instruments, to a new union of sound worlds. - Lawrence Casserley (2026)

Track 1 - Recorded on 17th November 2024 at The Vortex, London, by Pascal Marzan
Tracks 2 and 3 - Recorded on 3rd June 2025 at St Alban’s Church Hall, Oxford, by Matt Saunders
Album mixed and mastered by Matt Saunders
Cover photo by Lawrence Casserley
Artwork and design by Emil Karlsen
Produced by Emil Karlsen for Bead Records
All music by Lawrence Casserley (PRS), Pascal Marzan, Jean-Michel Van Schouwburg and Philipp Wachsmann (PRS)

BEAD 55