Iva Bittova

[Levgan]

Any fans of this Czech singer?

She will be performing here tomorrow, and a few days ago I interviewed her in Skype for 20 minutes or so... Such an talented performer, and such an interesting human being. I used to think that I'd miss any of her partners if she plays alone (like Pavel Fajt, Vladimir Vaclavek and of course let's not forget the awesome Bang in a Can with whom she was touring a few years ago). But lately I came to the realization that she really does not need any accompaniment - the amount of tricks this woman can play with her voice and her violin is astonishing. So, who else is a Bittova fan? Step up to the mike and tell us about it!

[Udi Koomran]

http://youtu.be/ZEZg3TX1k_g

[saatuk]

So, who else is a Bittova fan? Step up to the mike and tell us about it!


(Puts hand up) Me! Don't know what's to tell, but I've a small cache of Bitova CDs and a DVD. I have no idea how she can do those vocalizations while playing the violin at the same time, but it's marvellous to listen to.

[flytomars]

I love her!
Saw her once in Amsterdam, it was quite an experience- she is an amazing performer with lots of added value and enthusiasm in live settings.
I was also amazed at how just one instrument and one vocal can stand on their own.
I envy you! :)

[Levgan]

http://youtu.be/ZEZg3TX1k_g
This clip is taken from the "Superchameleon" DVD, which is HIGHLY recommended to all Bittova fans. So much great stuff there - solo works, excellent ensemble concerts with Bang on a Can and other bands, early rock stuff with Dunaj, experimental performances which have Iva make all kinds of crazy things with her voice and kazoo while hanging on the ropes above the audience, and even some of the short films she was starring in as a teenager. A brilliant collection.

[aplodon]

This clip is taken from the "Superchameleon" DVD, which is HIGHLY recommended to all Bittova fans.

Yes, it's a great DVD.



excellent ensemble concerts with Bang on a Can and other bands

The parts with bands are the best, IMO. Much of that stuff is really, really good.

[thedunno]

Count me in as a fan although I still have to dive a bit deeper in her Discography.

I saw her live with Bang on a Can a few years ago performing Elida and it was simply wonderfull. I absolutely love the Superchameleon DVD as well.

I own River of Milk, Bile Infermo and Elida. What else would you consider essential Bittova??

Joost

[Steve F.]

Big fan - have seen her several times in duo and solo. She's been quiet for some time recently, afaik.

[Lino]

Count me in as a fan although I still have to dive a bit deeper in her Discography.

I saw her live with Bang on a Can a few years ago performing Elida and it was simply wonderfull. I absolutely love the Superchameleon DVD as well.

I own River of Milk, Bile Infermo and Elida. What else would you consider essential Bittova??

Joost

Cikory is a beauty. You might wanna try that one

[Lino]

ohhh crap. Still learning how to post here, just lost stuff. anyway, yes, big fan, I adore that woman, so gorgeous and so talented. saw her up in Toronto about 2-3 years ago. her son played piano on a couple songs and Cutler joined her for the encore, but she was solo most of the show. Amazing. She would prance and dance her way up and down the aisles, playing violin and singing at the same time lol. her beauty, smile and positive vibes light up the room. A rare talent afaic.

[Progmatic]

Bile Inferno is one of my top albums ever...

[bburman]

Bile Inferno is one of my top albums ever...

I'm with you on that...a work of sheer beauty. seeing her live is necessary to appreciate her genius. her spontaneity and lack of self-consciousness remind me somehow of a child singing to a bird in the woods.

[Levgan]

The parts with bands are the best, IMO. Much of that stuff is really, really good.
I used to think so too, but lately I've come to appreciate her solo offerings A LOT. It's just unbelievable what she does all alone, sparse but very very beautiful and innovative. She explained to me in an interview that she fears the larger arrangements may kill the purity of the music and turn it into a kitsch. While this definitely does NOT happen when she's playing with people like Bang on a Can, I still kinda understand what she's talking about.

What else would you consider essential Bittova??
One more vote for Cikori, plus, of course, the amazing Ne Nehledej.

She's been quiet for some time recently, afaik.
She mentioned that he has a CD with orchestra coming out in Prague in a couple of weeks, but did not elaborate.

Bile Inferno is one of my top albums ever...
:up

[thedunno]

Just found http://www.eviyan.org/about.html

Apperently she is working with a new group. Very interesting. The clarinet player is from Bang on a Can. T

[BrianG]

Quite a few of her releases are on the Czech label "Indies Records".
Czech out (oh I am funny): http://www.indies.eu/us/vyhledavani/?keyword=bittova

Always lots of free downloads of Czech folk and rock music there.

[Steve F.]

That "new band" looks amazing. Evan Zipporan is a bass clarinet monster and Gyan Riley is a killer guitarist (and the son of Terry Riley).

WOW!

[Levgan]

That "new band" looks amazing. Evan Zipporan is a bass clarinet monster and Gyan Riley is a killer guitarist.
No shit! Don't know Riley, but I've seen Ziporyn with Bang on a Can just a few months ago, and I can attest he is a brilliant, brilliant musician.

And of course, as usual, I haven't done my homework properly, so I knew nothing about this and ended up missing the opportunity of asking Iva about this even though we talked nicely for more than 20 minutes. D'oh :oops

Oh well, I might see her in person tomorrow, and maybe if the timing is right and she's not too tired after the show, I'll sneak in and try to get some details.

[Duncan Glenday]

I've read about ger frequently here on PE, but never heard or seen her.

But this video has me seriously intrigued.



http://youtu.be/ZEZg3TX1k_g


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEZg3TX1k_g&feature=youtu.be

FIFY ;)

[Steve F.]

Duncan, that's very typical of her solo performances.

minus the worm-like thing. I've never seen the worm-like thing at her concerts. Maybe I didn't have enough to drink.

[Lino]

That video is brilliant!! Reminds me of when i saw her. She's a friggin' stunning artist, one of a kind. Love her! btw, she's an artist where you can find lots of awesome properly produced vids. In fact there are 3-4 excellent ones with Vaclavek on guitar , doing tracks from Bile Inferno. There's also another...my all time fave...gonna fnd it and post it.

[Lino]

This is so awesome, it makes me smile every single time I watch it. check it out!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1vmMTa_75w&feature=relmfu

[Lino]

Now some Bile Inferno:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-jUAIs89iE&feature=related

[Lino]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE-o7JZZloM&feature=related

[Duncan Glenday]

This is so awesome, it makes me smile every single time I watch it. check it out!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1vmMTa_75w&feature=relmfu

Fucking brilliant!

[Duncan Glenday]

Now some Bile Inferno:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-jUAIs89iE&feature=related

Damn, this chick is out there !


Awesome.

[spacefreak]

Big fan. I consider her in the same league of unique experimental vocalists as Colette Magny, Tamia, Meredith Monk, Diamanda Galas ans Savina Yiannatou.

[aplodon]

This clip is taken from the "Superchameleon" DVD, which is HIGHLY recommended to all Bittova fans. So much great stuff there ... A brilliant collection.

If I'm not mistaken, all the clips in this thread are from that DVD.

Any recent news on this gal?

[Scrotum Scissor]

^^

Reissue of Bile Inferno quite recently, IINM. If anyone even remotely taken by Iva still haven't got it, get it instantly - it's one of the finest albums released these past 20 years IMO.

[jkelman]

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/coverart/large/ivabittova_ivabittova.jpg

My review of her self-titled ECM debut (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/iva-bittova-iva-bittova-ecm-records-review-by-john-kelman.php). Marvellous stuff!!!

[PeterG]

Ive Nothing At All

[Nashorn]

Reissue of Bile Inferno quite recently, IINM. If anyone even remotely taken by Iva still haven't got it, get it instantly - it's one of the finest albums released these past 20 years IMO.

I totally agree.
It's available on CD and vinyl (and as download on itunes). So there's no excuse not to buy it.

[Cats On Glue]

another who agrees. a brilliant artist

[DrGoon]

If anybody happens to be close enough to MA on 18th April you might want to check this out:

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/mit-sounding-terry-riley-80th-birthday-concert-tickets-13095596281