Though each musician has a highly demanding part to perform due to the extreme register changes, glissandi, and pitch fluctuations, the violinist’s limits are challenged the most. At certain points, the score dictates that the violinist adopt different string tunings as well as having to physically reposition himself (moving to either side of the soprano when indicated).
There is also a contrapuntal device in several songs, one musical part will be melodic, folk-like and very consonant whereas the second part will be dissonant, fragmented – a stark contrast to its self-contained partner. Again, this only enforces that the composer wants us to feel a juxtaposition of emotions – the earthiness of the folk tradition and the anorexic economy of its counterpart.
This is a work, and a recording, to be savoured over and over again. Anyone with an interest in classical music outside the canon, and in the performing arts generally should relish this release from ECM.
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