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 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. [5/4/2002]
