Viter, signifying wind, is the first of four promised works by Ukraine electronic musician Zavoloka canvassing the four elements. Marked by contrasting textures and the stridency of its pacing, the short yet jam-packed pieces do indeed manage to connect directly with images of elemental surge and flow. The air vibrations of cello and violin drive the compositions, foraging around lopsided rhythms and muggy arcs of noise, which grow and shed layers and textures.
Zavoloka really only seems to know one speed on this recording – fast. As one motif begins to spill over, one can sense the next wave welling up to await expression. The restlessness and playfulness of this approach shines through on the fourth track, for instance, where simple patterns are built from filigrees of snapping clicks, patterns which seem to be reaching fervently for the deliciously light and airy violin lines that float above.
An important issue still remains: for all its attractive features, greater consideration for the placement of sounds might have been shown. Despite the fact that the album races along for its nineteen minutes, it doesn’t take on enough weight to leave a lasting impression. As one can easily imagine the four-volume work standing as something far more impressive when viewed as a whole, waiting to release the disc alongside its other siblings might have been something to consider.
Max Schaefer
*
Comments (1)
Wade March 11, 2008
I like this CD quite a lot, but the main liability for me was the mastering. It was extremely hot, resulting in lack of nuance of the kind you probably refer to when you question placement of sounds. I buy a lot of music direct from the Ukraine (I know, that’s weird) and I swear, this country consistently produces the absolute highest average RMS volumed CDs in the world! I actually asked Zavoloka about this and she very kindly indulged me with polite thanks for my query. Pretty neat of her considering she’s not big on English.