performed by:
Sofia Jernberg
Ensemble Klang
Spheric Totemic

Matthew Wright’s album Cracked Glaze is performed by virtuoso vocalist Sofia Jernberg, Ensemble Klang (Michiel van Dijk, Erik-Jan de With, Anton van Houten, Pete Harden, Saskia Lankhoorn and Joey Marijs) and Wright’s improv/electronic group Spheric Totemic (Mandhira de Saram, Neil Charles, Alexander Hawkins, Stephen Davis and Matthew Wright).

The 46-minute piece was performed live, and is built around a ‘spine’ of one long, descending scale which takes nineteen minutes to unfurl, and which then repeats with variations. Other layers of notation provide supporting roles. Superimposed against this notated ‘glaze’ are time-brackets (essentially start and stop times) for the improvisors to play solo or in groups. Wright also sampled, processed and sculpted the live sound design from the stage, and made significant post-production enhancements for the album release.

From Matthew Wright’s sleeve notes: “In ceramics, a cracked glaze can occur during the firing process, when intense heat creates fractures, resulting in a tension between a smooth form and a tarnished surface. With Cracked Glaze I’m interested in how the elements of musical notation, improvisation and technology collide and ‘crack’ each other to produce catalytic results.”

From Nate Wooley’s sleeve notes: “… this whole recording is rare and wonderful … Wright’s deft handling of the piece’s form and balance, the joy of hearing great improvisors at the top of their game, a murderers’ row new music ensemble, and a near flawless recorded document—but ultimately, the question that should be asked of this and all recordings is whether it leaves us wanting to return to it, demanding to know more … This is up to you, but repeated trips down this path will be rewarded.”

Commissioned by Ensemble Klang for Musical Utopias 2024
Premiered 12 January 2024 at Korzo Theatre, The Hague, Netherlands
Live sound engineering and recording by Micha de Kanter
Post-production, sound design and mastering by Matthew Wright

Sleeve notes: Matthew Wright and Nate Wooley
Photographs: Tessa Veldhorst & Musical Utopias
Design: David Caines

6-panel gatefold sleeve, 20 page CD booklet and CD sleeve

Matthew Wright is a composer, producer and sound designer based in Kent, UK. He is co-founder of Trance Map with legendary saxophonist Evan Parker, founder of Spheric Totemic, and was Musical Director for Network at The National Theatre, starring Hollywood actor Bryan Cranston. He has collaborated with some of the most dynamic contemporary artists including George Lewis, Ikue Mori, Pat Thomas, Peter Evans, Claron McFadden, Alexander Hawkins, The Brodsky Quartet, Robert Stillman, The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Anna Phoebe, Ensemble Klang, Bl!ndman, B’Rock, Spring Heel Jack, Sofia Jernberg and Elaine Mitchener. His diverse output (stretching from improvised music, chamber composition and collaborations with dance, theatre and film) has been presented at The Sydney Opera House, Abbey Road Studios, Le Poisson Rouge (NYC) and Palacio de Bellas Artes (Mexico City). www.matt-wright.co.uk

Sofia Jernberg www.instagram.com/sofiajernberg
Ensemble Klang www.ensembleklang.com
Spheric Totemic www.matt-wright.co.uk/spheric-totemic

CDs ordered from False Walls and Bandcamp are mailed from the UK. Other places where you can find or order False Walls CDs are shown here.

Physical/digital release: May 15, 2026
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