Notes and Editorial Reviews
In the fearless spirit of Morimur--this label's "Bach project", which reached unprecedented Britney-Spears-level sales--ECM now offers another piece of musical derring-do centered around a scholarly notion, in this case composer Luciano Berio's use of Sicilian folk music. Had Bach been alive for commentary, Morimur likely would have seemed less of an intellectual leap, so Voci has an already-proven point: this is more of a stunningly clear musical example than a demonstration of a particular hypothesis. To simply state that Berio used the folk music of his native land to construct both Voci and the subsequent Naturale is a little stuffy and pedantic; to demostrate how he used it--that is
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the gift this release has to offer.
Kim Kashkashian is the violist who may well render viola jokes null and void, so individual and genuine is her artistry. She tears into Voci with not-at-all-reckless abandon, navigating the score's technically and emotionally complex surface with serious grace and a firm hand. As the music leaps from fierce atonality to a wheezy organ-grinder-ish sound, she is right there alongside Berio, taking it all seriously but not afraid to giggle a bit as well. And she is expertly accompanied on Voci by Dennis Russell Davies and the Radio Symphonieorchester Wien, and by percussionist Robyn Schulkowsky on Naturale.
The folk music itself (from field tapes of authentic Sicilian "folk") is lusty, charming, and well sung in a grassroots sort of way, and it fits well in between the two Berio pieces. Listen to this disc start to finish and you will hear great music expertly performed--and you'll get the point; listen to the individual pieces, and you'll only hear great music expertly performed. Either way, you win. This disc is even a good read, with thoughtful essays about both Berio and the folk traditions he incorporates.
--Daniel Felsenfeld, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording
1.
Voci "Folk Songs II" by Luciano Berio
Performer:
Kim Kashkashian (Viola)
Conductor:
Dennis Russell Davies
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1984
Date of Recording: 11/1999
Venue: ORF Studio, Vienna, Austria
Length: 32 Minutes 9 Secs.
2.
Naturale by Luciano Berio
Performer:
Robyn Schulkowsky (Tamtam),
Robyn Schulkowsky (Marimba),
Kim Kashkashian (Viola)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1985-1986
Date of Recording: 05/2000
Venue: Teldec Studio, Berlin, Germany
Length: 22 Minutes 14 Secs.
Notes: This performance utilizes a pre-recorded tape.
3.
Grido del venditore di pesce by Traditional
Performer:
Angelo Vitello (Voice)
Written: Italy
Date of Recording: 1955
Length: 1 Minutes 22 Secs.
Language: Italian
4.
Canzuna by Traditional
Written: Italy
Date of Recording: 1969
Length: 1 Minutes 35 Secs.
Language: Italian
5.
Lamento per il Venerdi Santo by Traditional
Performer:
Concetto Campisi (Voice),
Antonio Bulgaretta (Voice)
Written: Italy
Date of Recording: 1961
Length: 5 Minutes 45 Secs.
Language: Italian
6.
Novena di Natale by Traditional
Performer:
Vincenzo Ferrara (Bagpipe),
Pietro Vallone (Percussion),
Vito D'Angelo (Voice)
Written: Italy
Date of Recording: 1961
Length: 3 Minutes 28 Secs.
Language: Italian
7.
Ninna nanna a Gesu by Traditional
Performer:
Maria Bonferraro (Voice)
Written: Italy
Date of Recording: 1960
Length: 1 Minutes 46 Secs.
Language: Italian
8.
Specchiu di l'occhi mei by Traditional
Performer:
Giuseppe Cangemi (Voice)
Written: Italy
Date of Recording: 1961
Length: 1 Minutes 20 Secs.
Language: Italian
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