Search - Cornelius Dufallo :: Dream Streets

STRING DRIVEN THING

Kerry Leimer | Makawao, Hawaii United States | 01/02/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Virtuosic in every detail, these works for violin and electronics are full of expression and ideas at play in a broad emotional and intellectual range. The enduring benchmark for exploring solo instruments remains Fred Frith's 1974 Guitar Solos, an electronic extension being many of Robert Fripp's Soundscapes releases. Duffalo's work on violin seems to be in that spirit, but very different in approach and intent. In some ways more traditionally musical than the pure experimentation of Frith or the stratified eventides of Fripp, Duffalo spins out beautifully articulate phrases that build into and across their own controlled repetitions and variations while remaining highly sensitive to the primacy of sound. Electronics and some audio vérité play supporting and contrasting roles, dropping us off on a busy street or leaving us to contemplate a sudden absence in the midst of a gentle rain. These unpitched accompaniments usually enhance the timbral hardness or softness of the violin as it falls into and out of self-determined solos, duos and trios, rhythmic, pizzicato or legato passages in firmly constructed, harmonically complex, purposeful movement. Duffalo's playing - and sense of play - are fluid and entertainingly enlightening as he traverses abruptly caustic or reflectively pelagic expanses with unconstrained ease and purpose. Comprised of nine concise, mostly short pieces surrounding the six part "Suite for Electric Violin", Dream Streets is a highly accomplished first solo effort from the violinist of the ETHEL quartet and member of Ne(x)tworks that exhibits experimental, inventive and musical attributes in near perfect proportions."