Oh, the head, all demons nest in it, the good and the bad, and the good and the bad escape again, through the ears, the eyes ...
Balts Nill, for many years with “Stiller Has”, Melinda Nadj Abonji, writer, singer, violinist, honored with the German and Swiss Book Prize for her novel “Tauben fliegen auf”, present with “Verhören” a piece of music that transcends genres.
At the invitation of the cultural initiative “Hexperimente” in Val Avers, they delved into the court records of the 1652 witch trial against Trina Ruedi. They complement and contrast the court records with their own texts, interludes, improvisations and songs.
“Suddenly there is a different tone,” writes Balts Nill about the creation process. “A mocking rebellion against dullness and superstition. A linguistic melody emerges from the judicial discourse. A figure emerges, a subject that speaks. This subject, which springs from our imagination, is the starting point for a new text, a counter-text to the protocols.”
"Verhören" is a touching border crossing between music and language, historical interpretation and contemporary diagnosis - highly topical in its examination of gender issues, fascinating in its play with sensuality, the body, repression and liberation.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Cover Art: Rosemary Laing courtesy Galerie Lelong, New York
Graphic design: Jonas Schoder

Music: Melinda Nadj Abonji and Balts Nill. Texts: Melinda Nadj Abonji, Balts Nill and court records. Recorded on 16, 17 January 2014 by Martin Pearson for Swiss Radio and Television. Recording production SRF: Roland Wächter and Ina Boesch. Mixing: Martin Pearson, Balts Nill and Melinda Nadj Abonji. Mastering: Adriano Tosetto, AudioWorks, Liebefeld. The project was initiated by Hexperimente, Ina Boesch, Corinne Holtz, Val Avers, 2012. CD-Produktion: Melinda Nadj Aboni, Balts Nill und Intakt Records, Patrik Landolt.