This is a document of the rich sonic identity of a place in the south of Italy. Recorded on a minidisk and with binaural microphones the album is a journey through the amazing sonic architecture of an ancient cave dwelling settlement carved into the sandstone of a canyon.
The starting point, in the very centre of the city, gives a sense of the busy bustling square, with a dramatic surround sound immersion into this incredible place that is loud and very much alive. The journey continues down into the old town, and the soundscape immediately changes. And as we wind down windy narrow passages, the resonance and acoustic shifts.
The attraction of the use of binaural microphones, when listening back through headphones, you become immersed into the scene, you become the protagonist; and this is an active journey, moving through the sonic landscape, letting the sounds swirl around your head and listening to the architecture communicate its presence and identity.
The old town of the Sassi is made of rock houses carved in natural caves. This place has a palpable vibe and a unique sound. Moving through the narrow streets and passageways shows how much the architecture filters and shapes the sounds we hear.
Churches are omnipresent and bells echo each other from across the valley. There are bursts of voices, dogs appear, old mopeds jump out, and birds flying overhead. Turn a corner and everything changes. The wind rushes around your ears as it sweeps down crags, porches and passageways. Swifts. It is summer. Time has stopped. You are there. So very present at every moment. This place has power.
The recording, made with a portable minidisk and in-ear binaural mikes is imperfect, but it is a valuable document of an incredible acoustic space in a period of change and transformation. There is a raw quality of nature in constant interaction with present signs of civilisation.
I have left the imperfections of this document to maintain the real feel, the immediacy of wind noises, voices, handling and movements which are all integral part of this active exploration of place and acoustics.
I am very pleased to share this document, and blessed to have had the chance to spend time in this place. Thanks to Harry and Antonia for the invitation and rare opportunity.
Recorded on location, and mastered by hervé perez at nexTTime studios
©Hervé Perez 2004
nexttime studio 