In an abstract space evocative of a garage, mechanics workshop, engine room, and/or horologists studio, the members of Brocante Sonore conjure up music from a range of things, from bric-a-brac to conventional instruments.Brocante Sonore fit comfortably into the heritage of the musique concrète movement. In contrast to other groups, such as Derek Shiels Sculpted Sound, which leans more towards classical music, Brocante Sonore lean more towards theatre. Both find common ground in performance art.The pieces they play are not musically sophisticated. This is not a Stravinsky or George Crumb concert, but the group does what it does very well, and their technical skill is phenomenal, especially when playing drainpipes, nails, metal chutes, and where multi-player co-ordination is involved. Their timing is impeccable, their stage antics highly entertaining. The sense of ensemble is comparable to that of the Berlin Philharmonic and theres no conductor.Theatrically, however, the group pay lip service to narrative, with poorly-defined characters and a lack of development in terms of the relationships between them. More attention to detail here would lift the group beyond the competition and take their work to a much higher level. That said, an hour of fun and humour is guaranteed.
