t wis tedtu tu p lay n ice.(Review)

Eve Beglarian and Kathleen Supove: t wis tedtu tu p lay n ice

Compact disc, 2000, oodiscs oo66; available from oodiscs, inc., 261 Groovers Avenue, Black Rock, Connecticut 06605-3452, USA; telephone (203) 367-7917; fax (203) 333-0603; electronic mail oodiscs@connix.com; World Wide Web www.oodiscs.com

Twisted Tutu, the collaborative duo of composer/vocalist/performance artist Eve Beglarian and pianist/ keyboardist Kathleen Supove, has long enjoyed audience appreciation and critical acclaim as one of the most inventive and innovative performance teams currently part, of the New York "downtown" music scene, t wis tedtu tu p lay n ice is the duo's first disc, but both performers appear on many other recordings, primarily on the oodisc and CRI Emergency Music labels.

A visit to the duo's website gives the uninitiated listener a good idea of the artists' work, aesthetic focus, and creative purpose. Twisted Tutu states that their goals are "to be and to remain at the forefront of physicality, spirituality, and sexuality in music making." They go on to say: "We believe that these elements are lacking in today's New Music scene and that, using the highest artistic means, they can be exploited to capture and captivate a whole new audience. Breaking the boundaries between high and popular culture and between old and new is also central to our work." Also emphasized is the "band" format of the duo's composition and performance, which includes the integration of human and technological tools and the presentation of a series of small, unique pieces rather than the concentration upon the creation of a monolithic "masterpiece." Anyone familiar with the pieces and performances of groups such as the California Ear Unit, the No World Trio, or Basso Bongo will feel completely at home with the works on this recording; those unfamiliar will be given a high-quality and high-interest introduction to music that transcends the boundaries of pop and academia.

Kyle Gann, new music critic for The Village Voice, provides overly obsequious but informative notes and commentary in the CD booklet. Mr. Gann describes the traditional classical training of both Twisted Tutu members (Ms. Beglarian studied composition at Columbia and Princeton while Ms. Supove began her career as a pianist in Boston) and their gradual gravitation toward the downtown New York scene. He also presents an interesting commentary on the precedent set for such a transformation by others such as Pauline Oliveros, Robert Ashley, and Laurie Anderson. He further emphasizes the highly personal nature of the disc's music with the comment that here are "two artists willing to put themselves on the line, to communicate, to give you something of themselves that you might easily identify with." In other words, ...