AAJ Review: Iva Bittovà, Iva Bittovà

[jkelman]

My review of violinist/singer Iva Bittovà's self-titled debut on ECM, today at All About Jazz.


Bittovà's first appearance on the label was with Vladimír Godár's Mater, but it turns out that, on this solo debut as a leader, she's a real storyteller, with music - improvised and composed - running the gamut from traditional folk music of her native Moravia to classical, and beyond...sounding like all of these things and none of them. Enigmatic? Perhaps, but a lovely, intimate and very, very personal debut.


Review here.

[walt]

Iva Bittova is another musician(quite a few in this category) i've read much praise for, here on PE and elsewhere,but i haven't yet checked out her music.This cd seems promising.Any other cds by Iva Bittova that are outstanding and showcase her art?.Thanks.

[jkelman]

Iva Bittova is another musician(quite a few in this category) i've read much praise for, here on PE and elsewhere,but i haven't yet checked out her music.This cd seems promising.Any other cds by Iva Bittova that are outstanding and showcase her art?.Thanks.

This is her first under her own name, I believe, but the classic one I cite, Mater, is also quite wonderful (also on ECM).

[Scrotum Scissor]

Iva Bittova is another musician(quite a few in this category) i've read much praise for, here on PE and elsewhere,but i haven't yet checked out her music.This cd seems promising.Any other cds by Iva Bittova that are outstanding and showcase her art?.Thanks.

My votes for best starting points with the wonderful Iva: Pustit Musis (1995) with Dunaj & (Pavel) Fajt, post-punkish yet "progressive" songwriting and performance of extremely high calibre; Bile Inferno (1997), lighter orchestrations of some of her most poetic works; Elida (2005) with Bang on a Can, somewhat heavier orchestrations - although she masters this environment as well.

Can't wait to hear this new one; thx for the review, John!

[Progmatic]

Iva Bittova is hit and miss for me...all her work is artistically great but she tends to go, on some of the albums, to musical styles that do not resonate with me

For instance IMHO:

The following are top notch albums:

Bittova, Iva / Vaclavek, Vladimir Bile Inferno
Bittova & Fajt Bittova & Fajt
Bittova, Iva Solo
Bittova, Iva Divna Slecinka (aka Iva Bittova)

OK albums:
Bittova Dunaj Fajt Pustit Musis
Bittova, Iva Cikori
Bittova, Iva Ne Nehledej

I can live without albums:
Bittova, Iva Classic
Bittova, Iva & Dorothea Kellerova Bela Bartok - 44 Duets for Two Violins
Bittova, Iva / Andreas Kroper Echoes
Bittova, Iva Kolednice

Nevertheless "Bile Inferno" is one of the best albums in my whole collection and that itself means that I would check any of her new albums

[walt]

Bile Inferno sounds promising,too bad it only seems to be available from Amazon Germany for $61, a bit more than i want to spend.

If anyone knows of a new or used copy of Bile Inferno for a reasonable price, please keep me in mind.Thanks.

[Progmatic]

You can find it also on Waysidemusic.com for $33 new. It is 2 CDs.

[Cats On Glue]

Iva Bittova is another musician(quite a few in this category) i've read much praise for, here on PE and elsewhere,but i haven't yet checked out her music.This cd seems promising.Any other cds by Iva Bittova that are outstanding and showcase her art?.Thanks.

everybody will tell you Bile Inferno and their right. i like Cikori too. shes an amazing talent

[PeterG]

Iva Bittova (I've a bit over) Really? Isn't this just like Ivor Biggun or Irma Onatop (I'm on the top) or Yuri Nokabolokov? (knock a bollock off) or Mike Hunt? Is that really her real name?

[thedunno]

I was a bit confused with the word 'debut' (she's been recording for almost 30 years) but very happy to see there's a NEW Iva Bittova out. I will get his soon.

[walt]

You can find it also on Waysidemusic.com for $33 new. It is 2 CDs.

Hot damn. Thanks.

[walt]

I should have checked Wayside first thing.I just assumed no US vendor had it.Just ordered it from Wayside.Thanks again Progmatic.

[Scrotum Scissor]

Iva Bittova (I've a bit over) Really? Isn't this just like Ivor Biggun or Irma Onatop (I'm on the top) or Yuri Nokabolokov? (knock a bollock off) or Mike Hunt? Is that really her real name?

How about Chris Fucking McGuire? Is that his real name, I mean really?

[jkelman]

Iva Bittova is hit and miss for me...all her work is artistically great but she tends to go, on some of the albums, to musical styles that do not resonate with me

For instance IMHO:

The following are top notch albums:

Bittova, Iva / Vaclavek, Vladimir Bile Inferno
Bittova & Fajt Bittova & Fajt
Bittova, Iva Solo
Bittova, Iva Divna Slecinka (aka Iva Bittova)

OK albums:
Bittova Dunaj Fajt Pustit Musis
Bittova, Iva Cikori
Bittova, Iva Ne Nehledej

I can live without albums:
Bittova, Iva Classic
Bittova, Iva & Dorothea Kellerova Bela Bartok - 44 Duets for Two Violins
Bittova, Iva / Andreas Kroper Echoes
Bittova, Iva Kolednice

Nevertheless "Bile Inferno" is one of the best albums in my whole collection and that itself means that I would check any of her new albums

Wow, was I mistaken! Thanks for I such a comprehensive discography, although I suppose I should also owe you a 'damn you!!' Too, since I'll now have to spend, spend, spend!

[jkelman]

I was a bit confused with the word 'debut' (she's been recording for almost 30 years) but very happy to see there's a NEW Iva Bittova out. I will get his soon.

Just to be clear, it did say 'self-titled debut on ECM, a similar distinction which can be applied to Chris Potter and his wonderful The Sirens, from earlier this year.

Best!
John