Luciano Berio: Recital 1 for Cathy · Folk Songs (1995)

Cathy Berberian, singer and wife of Luciano Berio, was one of music's true originals. Equally adept at Monteverdi and the wildest effusions of the avant-garde, her performances brought her husband's music to new and appreciative audiences, while permitting Berio to create some of his most gripping work at the same time. Folk Songs is exactly what the title says―a collection of folk songs from around the world which gives Berberian the opportunity to demonstrate her ability to sing in different languages and styles. Recital 1 is something else again―a monologue for soprano that reveals the slow disintegration of her personality. It's a nervous breakdown in music. Berberian performs everything on this disc brilliantly.

Tracklist

Recital I (for Cathy), for female voice & 17 instrument (33:29)
1 Se I Languidi Miei Sguardi (2:01)
Composed by Monteverdi
2 Amor, Dov'é La Fé (1:06)
Composed by Monteverdi
3 "Ah! He Hadn't Been There Before…" (1:27)
4 "Clarinet That's The Sound That's Been Haunting Me…" (10:02)
5 Avendo Gran Desio (4:19)
Lyrics By - Da Lentini*
6 "Who Hasn't Taken A Piece Out Of My Life?" (3:38)
7 Musician Exchange: "These 5 Men…" (2:20)
8 Excerpts: Mahler, Delibes, Rossini, Etc. (6:20)
9 Calmo E Lontano: "Libera Nos" (2:12)

Folk Songs (20:38)
10 Black Is The Color… (USA) (2:35)
Written by John Jacob Niles, Traditional
11 I Wonder As I Wander… (USA) (1:50)
Written by John Jacob Niles, Traditional
12 Loosin Yelav… (Armenia) (2:19)
13 Rossignolet Du Bois (France) (1:29)
14 A La Femminisca (Sicily) (1:49)
15 La Donna Ideale (Italy) (1:13)
Written by Berio, Traditional
16 Ballo (Italy) (1:31)
Written by Berio, Traditional
17 Motettu De Tristura (Sardiania) (1:27)
18 Malurous Qu'o Uno Fenno (France) (From Canteloube's "Songs Of Auvergne") (0:56)
19 La Fiolairé (France) (From Canteloube's "Songs Of Auvergne") (2:39)
20 Azerbaijan Love Song (USSR) (2:36)

3 Songs by Kurt Weill (10:14)
21 Song Of Sexual Slavery (2:18)
Written by Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill
22 Le Grand Lustucru (2:41)
Written by Jacques Deval*, Kurt Weill, Roger Fernay
23 Surabaya Johnny (5:10)
Written by Bertolt Brecht, Herbert Hartig, Kurt Weill


Recital 1 For Cathy composed in 1971. Recorded on September 19-25, 1972 in EMI Studios, London.
Folk Songs (composed in 1964) and 3 Songs by Kurt Weill recorded on December 21 & 23, 1968, in Webster Hall, New York City.

BMG Classics 09026-62540-2