‘Isolation’ Released Today
“Her stark, yet beautiful, music captures perfectly the varying moods of lockdown.”
‘Isolation’ is the debut album from composer Charlotte Botterill, performed by Késia Decoté. The album is available on all digital platforms, and as a collectable limited edition CD release. Only 50 CDs have been printed. Each CD album includes an exclusive art print by guitarist and artist Rosie Botterill. ‘Isolation’ is the third release by the label Lis de la Mer.
‘Isolation’ is a collection of 15 piano miniatures composed between 2nd April and 14th June 2020 while England was in lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The miniature form is the ideal way to capture a fleeting moment, especially at a time when change occurs so rapidly. Each piece expresses a moment or mood experienced by the composer during this time. Musically there are influences of impressionism and jazz. Thematically, the album explores friendships, loneliness, and change, as well as observations of the natural world and its ability to lift one's mood. Although the collection documents this unusual time in our lives, the themes are universal and not limited to a particular time or location. Read below for more information about the process of composing ‘Isolation’.
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Piano Késia Decoté.
Recorded and edited on 29th September 2020 by Márcio Dorneles at Laranjeiras Records, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Mixed and mastered by Stefano Tore at Unelis Studios, Cagliari, Italy.
Artwork by Rosie Botterill.
Composing Isolation
On 23rd March 2020 the UK went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Between 2nd April and 14th June I have been documenting my experiences by creating a set of piano miniatures entitled ‘Isolation’.
When I began composing these miniatures I had no intention of creating a body of work. I composed the initial pieces simply as a way to express and work through the emotions I was feeling at the time; feelings of uncertainty, loss of normality, the guilt which accompanies an abundance of time but lack of motivation, feelings which I'm sure are shared throughout the world.
I found myself sitting down to compose these type of pieces once or twice a week, when it occurred to me that they offer a snapshot into life in the current situation, a sort of lockdown diary. The idea of documenting lockdown through music was intriguing, so I decided to continue to compose one piece relating to the lockdown each week.
The project was concluded on 14th June, as restrictions in England began to ease from 15th June.
I have found the process of composing these pieces to be very cathartic, and I hope that others are able to enjoy these pieces, or to identify with them in some way.
Your Pandemic Reflections
Whilst composing, I shared the miniatures with pianists Késia Decoté (who was living in Brasília at the time), and US pianist Francesca Hurst. Both pianists commented on how much they identified with the music at that time. Késia and I are intrigued by the notion of a shared global experience; although we feel alone and isolated, many of us are experiencing it in the same way, despite the distance between us.
Késia and I would like to invite you to share you own thoughts regarding the pandemic. Perhaps emotions or memories which were recalled while listening to the miniatures. Please feel free to comment below with your reactions to, or reflections of, the pandemic and being in isolation. Késia and I would love to read your views.