Marja Ahti/ Blutwurst — Visiting Cloud (Two Translations)
Visiting Cloud (Two Translations) is a CD release featuring acoustic ensemble takes on two electro-acoustic works by Swedish-Finnish composer Marja Ahti. Each work runs around the twenty-minute mark and is performed by the Florence-based modern ensemble Blutwurst. There is a nice variation in tone/ atmosphere between the two tracks.
Marja Ahti has been active as a composer and musician since the late 2010’s. Her work blends field recordings and other acoustic sounds with electronics and feedback. Blutwurst have been active since 2011- playing both modern classical music and improv.
This release features the following players: Cristina Abati- viola. Marco Baldini-trumpet. Maurizio Costantini- double bass. Daniela Fantechi- accordion. Michele Lanzini- cello. Edoardo Ricci- bass clarinet. Luisa Santacesaria- harmonium.
So first up, we have “Chora”, which dates from 2019/2024. It opens with a mix of rushing air like tonality and these glamouring/hammering dwells. As we move on, a looping horn swoon element appears- this is soon joined by hints of mischievous bass tone hover, which is bayed by wayward string whistle and coarse yet compressed honks. The whole piece is set out in this steady revolving pattern, which brings to mind watching some vast propeller start up, gain some pace, then slow again. As it progresses, a more malevolent quality starts to rise in the piece, before it resolves on more plaintive string glides
The second and final piece, “Fluctuating Steams”, dates from between 2020/ 2024. This track opens with a rattling, cluttering, and almost snoring textural mesh. Fairly soon, a sustained, slight rounding hover starts off looping- blending bays & wavering swoons. As it progresses, the track starts to come alive in steady circles of drone flow & ebb- with at points the pitches nicely splitting. Later on, we have a few structural surprises- like sudden pare backs and wary bass darts.
Visiting Cloud (Two Translations) serves up two examples of revolving, pressing, and ringing modern ensemble works. The translation from electro-acoustic to acoustic has been realised very well.