Ambient flute journey from acoustic to electronic

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CD: Digisleeve CD
Digital Download: CD-quality Aiffs + 256 kbps mp3s + digital booklet + pics

TRACKS:

1. The Difficulty of Being I [00:22]

2. The Difficulty of Being II [02:11]

3. The Difficulty of Being III [06:09]

4. The Difficulty of Being IV [06:55]

5. The Difficulty of Being V [09:47]

6. The Difficulty of Being VI [04:28]

7. The Difficulty of Being VII [24:48]

8. The Difficulty of Being VIII [07:53]

CREDITS:

Sara Minelli: flutes (C, G & bass)

Daniel Biro: synthesizers on 'The Difficulty of Being VII’

All music by Daniel Biro except The Difficulty of Being I by Sara Minelli and V, VII and VIII by Sara Minelli and Daniel Biro

Recorded in January and June 2024 at the DB Studio, London

Produced by Daniel Biro

Executive Producer: Eric Somers

Image and photo by Daniel Biro

Renowned flautist Sara Minelli, celebrated for her exceptional mastery of contemporary classical techniques and her presence at international festivals and events, collaborates with composer Daniel Biro on this new album release, ‘The Difficulty of Being’. The project, inspired by Jean Cocteau’s book of the same name, explores the evolution from acoustic purity to electronic transformation, mirroring the organic complexity of natural processes through layered, self-similar musical patterns.

The album showcases innovative compositional approaches where complexity emerges from chance encounters of layered simple patterns. Parts II, III, IV, and VI feature seven layers of flute, each recorded separately without a metronome or reference to previous takes. This technique allows spontaneous rhythmic echoes and unexpected harmonic interactions to emerge, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving auditory experience. A different methodology was employed for Part V, where a bass flute improvisation by Minelli’s was subsequently used as a reference for two further layers, each attempting to replicate the previous iteration. This method results in a sonic ‘Chinese whispers’ effect—an intricate cascade of rippling similarities that blur the line between repetition and transformation. Part VII is an impromptu flute and synthesizer improvisation duet, recorded in a single take and subtly edited to preserve its spontaneous dialogue. Part VIII revisits the material from Part V, reimagining it as a heavily processed electronic collage. This track serves as both a culmination of the album’s acoustic-to-electronic progression and a tribute to the legendary Jon Hassell, whose pioneering work in electronic and ambient music profoundly influenced Biro’s writing.

With ‘The Difficulty of Being’, Daniel Biro and Sara Minelli invite listeners into a sonic landscape where spontaneous encounters evolve from acoustic origins into expansive electronic horizons.

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