Violin Duos 1: Nono

Walt Mundkowsky

[December 2012.]

In brief: Neither of these alters the recommendations.

This updates my survey of Nono’s “Hay que caminar„ soñando; the intervening nine years have seen only two additions. Grant reviewed the Kairos double here.

“Wildthurner Kunsttage 1997.” Franz SCHUBERT: Sonata in A major, D. 959 (1828). Luigi NONO: “Hay que caminar„ soñando (1989)¹. Hyperion Ensemble: Richard Ormrod (pno); Gunde Jäch-Micko¹, Firmian Lermer¹ (vlns). (No label info on CD; for details see https://www.discogs.com/Hyperion-Ensemble-2-Franz-Schubert-Luigi-Nono-Wildthurner-Kunsttage-1997-Sonate-A-Dur-Hay-Que-Camina/release/2222792)

If the title suggests a live event, that isn’t the case. Happily the micro-details in the Nono (a significant factor) come across unimpeded — slow-motion vapor trails are noteworthy. Cumulative grip never falters, even with repeat auditions on the spot. Its duration closely follows the standard bearers, Arditti / Alberman, who are 32 secs quicker. The three parts are done in reverse order, and tracked separately.

Jäch-Micko and Lermer offer some metallic timbres, with strong attacks that may refer to the electronics in La lontananza nostalgica utopica futura. They’re standing too close to each other in the soundstage (no playing across the void), and I detect no changes in their positions between one part and the next (a requirement). A decent rendition but a rung or more below Arditti / Alberman (Naïve) and Becker / Merkel (on Edition Wandelweiser Records EWR 0103).

Luigi NONO: No hay caminos, hay que caminar… Andrej Tarkowskij (1987); “Hay que caminar„ sognando (1989)¹; Caminantes… Ayacucho (1986-87)². Irvine Arditti¹, Graeme Jennings¹ (vlns), Roberto Fabbriciani² (fl), Susanne Otto² (m-sop), Experimentalstudio für akustische Kunst e.V.², Solistenchor Freiburg², WDR Rundfunkchor Köln², WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, Emilio Pomárico (cond.). Kairos 0012512KAI (2 CDs) (http://www.kairos-music.com/). Distributed in the US by Allegro Music (http://www.allegro-music.com/).

Luigi NONO: Fragmente – Stille, an Diotima (1979-80); “Hay que caminar„ soñando (1989)¹. Arditti Quartet: Irvine Arditti, David Alberman  (vlns), Levine Andrade (vla), Rohan de Saram (vc); Irvine Arditti¹, David Alberman¹ (vlns). Naïve MO 782172 (http://www.naive.fr/#/category/music/classical). Distributed in the US by Naxos (http://www.naxos.com/).

Arditti / Jennings can’t approach Arditti / Alberman (1990). The Naïve was recorded two months after Nono’s passing by the original team. A / J knocks 1:03 off the earlier timing but is curiously episodic, not tighter. Every facet says “routine,” and the eruptions appear crude and ugly. The three parts aren’t tracked. A misfire from any angle. Getting all three Caminantes pieces together may appeal in theory; Grant cooled on the result.

Désirée Pousaz and Andreas Kunz in the Leonhardskirche Basel (10-16-11) on YouTube provide what audio alone won’t. Thanks to Franz Bannwart for posting.

* * *

equipment
Bryston BCD-1 player
Nordost Tyr cables
Stax SRA-12S headphone amp (1977, restored)
Stax SR-X / MK-3 phones (1975, restored).