A Century in Review: Rediscovering Berio and Berberian
Review of Berberio Bash at Seattle Chamber Orchestra
Written by Teen Editorial Staff Member THIEN-NHI NGUYEN
Berberio Bash, a centennial tribute celebrating the birthdays of Italian composer Luciano Berio and vocalist Cathy Berberian, hosted by the Seattle Chamber Orchestra (SCO), transcended all my expectations of chamber music. The concert took place at the Good Shepard’s Center in a small, intimate, chapel-like setting, which allowed everyone in the audience to get a close view of the ensemble’s intentional movements and expressions as they carefully performed the music.
Luciano Berio and Cathy Berberian were an artistic duo who redefined what it meant to compose and perform music in the 20th century. Berio, one of Italy's most influential avant-garde composers, was particularly known for his experimental approach to music and sound. His ability to weave together fragments of musical history - ranging from folk songs, classicals, operas, and many more - to create a coherent piece of music was astounding. Berberian, his muse and collaborator, was also known for her voice, which was breathtaking in the sense that it could evoke emotions of laughter, whispers, and shock with her audience. Together, Berberian and Berio blurred the boundaries between the composer and the performer, inspiring musicians today. It's no surprise that the SCO chose to pay tribute to them in memory of their centennial, as both artists embodied the spirit of innovation that drives the force behind chamber music.
The program opened with O King, Berio’s tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., a modernist work that blends fragmented syllables of King’s name with trembling instrumental lines. Its slow-building tension and dissonant harmonies mirror both mourning and hope for the late leader in the Civil Rights Movement, creating a soundscape of remembrance. Trembling strings and vibrant vocal vibrato set a tone of reverence and tension. The layering of flats and sharps created harmonic unease, yet the soloist, Stephanie Aston, maintained remarkable poise. I found myself sitting on the edge of the seat with goosebumps trailing on my skin.
This was quickly contrasted with the soothing song Lamento, a lyrical and meditative piece that showcases Berio's gentler side. It features a fluid and smooth structure where the harp, strings, and voice intertwine to evoke strong emotions of grief and beauty, hypnotizing the audience with a lullaby-like tune. Through the contrasting sounds of harsh and soft, I was able to see the different aspects of each instrument shine. For example, the strings, which had been previously trembling with a harsh tension in O King, now softened into a sweet, honey-like warm tone that blended seamlessly with the harp's delicate arpeggios. It seemed as though this concert took me through a journey of all of Berio's compositions, showing the large variety from loud, harsh, rhythmic songs to a sweet, soothing sound.
Later, the concert featured Sequenza III (1965), one of Berio’s most famous and experimental vocal works written for his wife, mezzo-soprano Cathy Berberian. The piece abandons conventional vocal techniques, melody, and text entirely; rather, it uses a collage of vocal gestures: laughter, sighs, muttering, gasping, and fragmented syllables. These unique forms are used to portray the chaotic stream of human thought. I, for one, was bewildered at the singer’s movements and techniques. However, this experience showed that it was less about melody and more about emotion, revealing how the human voice can become an instrument of drama.
Berberio Bash succeeded in transforming experimentation into art. The unconventional gestures and sounds presented in his pieces felt purposeful, as if Berio had discovered beauty in the very act of breaking musical norms. Although at times I found myself bewildered by the orchestra’s movements and techniques, each piece challenged my expectations and turned my initial confusion into genuine fascination. The ensemble’s variety showed that music need not always soothe: it can provoke, surprise, and expand our sense of what is possible, which showed the beauty in Luciano Berio and Cathy Berberian’s music. In doing so, the Seattle Chamber Orchestra not only honored the centennial of Luciano Berio and Cathy Berberian but also highlighted the enduring legacy of their artistic courage: their willingness to redefine the boundaries of sound and voice, which remains a vital inspiration for contemporary music.
To see the full concert, check this link
Lead photo courtesy of Seattle Chamber Orchestra.
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