ANAT FORT TRIO with GIANLUIGI TROVESI - Birdwatching
ECM 473 2357
Anat Fort (piano); Gary Wang (double bass); Roland Schneider (drums); Gianluigi Trovesi (alto clarinet)
Recorded November 2013
This is the Israeli pianist's follow up to the acclaimed 2009 release And If (also on ECM), presented again with her long term trio with bassist Gary Wang and drummer, Roland Schneider with the addition of Italian reedman Gianluigi Trevosi on the infrequently heard alto clarinet.
The time between recordings has witnessed a geographical shift for the pianist with her relocation form New York to Tel Aviv, but her music builds on the groundwork laid down on And If, and continues to develop at a more gentle and relaxed pace. If, as Anat points out, the geographical distance between the trio has widened this has not harmed the natural empathy that has been built up over time, but has perhaps maintained a freshness and vitality that has injected a new burst of creative energy on each occasion that they reconvene to make music together.
Listening to this album for the first time, I was slightly thrown by the alto clarinet. Not a familiar voice like the soprano or bass clarinet, hearing over the course of full album took a little time to fully appreciate the range and nuances of the instrument, and assimilate Trovesi's musical language and tone. Playing with a bitter sweet sound, the clarinettist will colour and manipulate his sound, interpreting the written score and reacting to the rhythm section as if he too were a regular fixture of the ensemble.
Fort's compositions are loosely based on her interest in ornithology, and inspiration drawn from nature and movement in general. The quartet pieces are interlinked with some solo piano interludes that were recorded at the mixing stage, and draw together the pieces in to a suite. These 12 compositions Anat describes as a story "told in small steps or episode, or vignettes." These stories range from the elegant solo piano on the opening 'First Rays' to the tumultuous torrent of notes from the alto clarinet on 'Not The Perfect Storm'. Calm is restored on the deeply moving 'It's Your Song'.
Anat is not one to wear her heart on her sleeve, but that does not lessen the emotional content of her music. Close listening reveals a sharp mind at work with each idea presented without any excess baggage, just lean and lithe lines that make their meaning felt succinctly before moving on. The key pieces of the set that reveal the ability to tell a story through her music can be heard the majestic 'Song of the Phoenix I' and 'Song of the Phoenix II'.
A captivating set that reveals an original voice continuing to grow. It will be interesting to hear how the Anat Fort Trio continue their journey, and I for one would relish the prospect of a solo album from this gifted enthralling pianist.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ECM 473 2357
Anat Fort (piano); Gary Wang (double bass); Roland Schneider (drums); Gianluigi Trovesi (alto clarinet)
Recorded November 2013
This is the Israeli pianist's follow up to the acclaimed 2009 release And If (also on ECM), presented again with her long term trio with bassist Gary Wang and drummer, Roland Schneider with the addition of Italian reedman Gianluigi Trevosi on the infrequently heard alto clarinet.
The time between recordings has witnessed a geographical shift for the pianist with her relocation form New York to Tel Aviv, but her music builds on the groundwork laid down on And If, and continues to develop at a more gentle and relaxed pace. If, as Anat points out, the geographical distance between the trio has widened this has not harmed the natural empathy that has been built up over time, but has perhaps maintained a freshness and vitality that has injected a new burst of creative energy on each occasion that they reconvene to make music together.
Listening to this album for the first time, I was slightly thrown by the alto clarinet. Not a familiar voice like the soprano or bass clarinet, hearing over the course of full album took a little time to fully appreciate the range and nuances of the instrument, and assimilate Trovesi's musical language and tone. Playing with a bitter sweet sound, the clarinettist will colour and manipulate his sound, interpreting the written score and reacting to the rhythm section as if he too were a regular fixture of the ensemble.
Fort's compositions are loosely based on her interest in ornithology, and inspiration drawn from nature and movement in general. The quartet pieces are interlinked with some solo piano interludes that were recorded at the mixing stage, and draw together the pieces in to a suite. These 12 compositions Anat describes as a story "told in small steps or episode, or vignettes." These stories range from the elegant solo piano on the opening 'First Rays' to the tumultuous torrent of notes from the alto clarinet on 'Not The Perfect Storm'. Calm is restored on the deeply moving 'It's Your Song'.
Anat is not one to wear her heart on her sleeve, but that does not lessen the emotional content of her music. Close listening reveals a sharp mind at work with each idea presented without any excess baggage, just lean and lithe lines that make their meaning felt succinctly before moving on. The key pieces of the set that reveal the ability to tell a story through her music can be heard the majestic 'Song of the Phoenix I' and 'Song of the Phoenix II'.
A captivating set that reveals an original voice continuing to grow. It will be interesting to hear how the Anat Fort Trio continue their journey, and I for one would relish the prospect of a solo album from this gifted enthralling pianist.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
