Luciano Berio

condition (record/cover): NM / NM
Insert included.

The Decca album A-Ronne / Cries of London features performances by Swingle II (now known as The Swingle Singers) and was originally released on vinyl in 1976. The works are avant-garde vocal compositions by the Italian composer Luciano Berio, who also directed the recording sessions. A-Ronne: This piece, with a duration of almost 30 minutes, is an experimental work based on a poem by Edoardo Sanguineti. It is a "documentary on a poem" that explores language itself, using a wide range of vocal techniques including speech, whispering, shouting, whistling, and occasional singing. The title refers to the last three letters of an archaic Italian alphabet and symbolises a complete cycle from beginning to end. Cries of London: A shorter, seven-movement work (around 15 minutes) for eight voices, it is a modern take on the traditional street vendors' cries of old London. The piece is described as more melodious than A-Ronne, with some movements having a simple, folk-tune character while others are musically more complex. Berio intended the singers to perform with minimal vibrato, almost "instrumentally". Reviewers have described the Decca recording as an authoritative and possibly definitive interpretation of the works. A-Ronne is noted for its "abstract poetry" and peculiar drama, while Cries of London is often recommended to newcomers to contemporary music for its entertaining and melodious character, with the Swingle II's imitation of accents being particularly enjoyed