Release Date: 29 August 2011
Label: ECM Records
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 602527680552
Genres: Jazz
Description
The fourth ECM album by Stefano Battaglia - following on from the critically-acclaimed 'Raccolto', recorded in 2003, 'Re: Pasolini' of 2005, and 2008's duo disc 'Pastorale' - is an organic-sounding piano trio recording, with robustly lyrical music that can easily speak to a wide audience.
In preparing the music, Battaglia was inspired by diverse literary, philosophical and spiritual writings and by allusions to mythical and legendary locations. The CD booklet is attractively peppered with quotes from the relevant authors - Thomas More, Francis Bacon, Rumi, Arthur Rimbaud, Hildegard von Bingen, the Sioux chieftain Black Elk and others - with text fragments juxtaposed with fine art photography by Caterina Di Perri.
Stefano Battaglia: "I set myself the task of writing songs and dances uninfluenced by the sophistication of contemporary musical languages, striving to shape pieces that might have been played on archaic instruments a thousand years ago. I think of it as a kind of music before the idioms."
If outside contemporary jazz trends, the album is not entirely without precedents, In ECM's catalogue, the recordings of Gurdjieff's music or the 'Changeless' improvisations of the Jarrett trio could be considered approximate stylistic signposts. In brief, The River of Anyder is, intentionally, a timeless piano trio album.
Stefano Battaglia (born 1965 in Milan) first made waves as a classical pianist, playing music from baroque and early music to 20th century composition touring the European festivals in this capacity, before making the transition to music that incorporated improvisation. A strong feeling for structure, a legacy from the 'classical' years, continues to inform all his work.
Personnel: Stefano Battaglia (piano), Salvatore Maiore (double-bass), Roberto Dani (drums)
Tracklisting
Various artists
Yuval Cohen Quartet
Thomas Stronen; Craig Taborn; Chris Potter; Sinikka Langeland; Jorge Rossy
Stephan Micus
Rainer Bruninghaus
Paul Bley
Mathias Eick; Kristjan Randalu; Ole Morten Vagan; Hans Hulbaekmo
Julia Hulsmann Quartet
Stefano Battaglia Trio
