STEFANO BOLLANI TRIO - Mediterraneo
ACT Records ACT 0849-2
Stefano Bollani (pno), Jesper Bodilsen (bs) Morten Lund (drs) with Vincent Peirani (accordian/accordina) & The Berlin Philharmonica
Brainchild of Norwegian arranger and conductor Geir Lysne this live recording sets out to put the music of great Italian composers at the center of the new wave of European jazz. "Jazz At The Berlin Phiharmonic" as it is subtitled succeeds in every way bringing together one of the finest of the contemporary jazz trios, an outstanding guest on accordian, Vincent Peirani, alongside the artistry of a great orchestra. Forty four year old Stefano Bollani was originally from Milan and as well as being a fine pianist also spends time as a composer, vocalist and tv presenter. He is best known for his fifteen albums with trumpeter Enrico Rava but has also appeared with such diverse artists as Lee Konitz, Chick Corea and Pat Metheny to The Royal Concertgebouw and Toronto Symphony Orchestras. The award winning French accordionist Vincent Peirani who has established himself at the pinnacle of modern music has released nine albums under his own name and appeared on thirty others in his relatively short career. He can currently be found working with the likes of Michael Wollny, Lars Danielsson and Youn Sun Nah. Also a saxophonist in his own right, Geir Lysne has also led the NDR Big Band and worked extensively with Bobby McFerrin and Joe Lovano.
The album is a total triumph from start to finish, combining the three elements of trio, soloist and orchestra in kaleidoscope of profound yet highly accessible music. Both the classical and cinematic genres are covered with pieces by Rossini, Monteverdi and Puccini juxtaposed with the strident works from the likes of Rota, Morriconne and others. Peiriani's accordion is not over used but striking when it is particularly on the searching "O Mio Babbino Caro" (Oh My Beloved Father) from Puccini's opera Gianni Schicchi. It is very unusual to hear a string orchestra actually "swing" but that is exactly what happens on Montererverdi's "Sinfonia" which includes a fine solo passage from the viola of Martin Stegner. The three film works by Morriconne fit particularly well into this format with the main theme from "The Good The Bad And The Ugly" outstanding. The trio are left to there own devices on "Azzurro" by Palo Conte and Michele Virano, an extended piece with Bollani's piano sound compulsive and dynamic as it is for nearly all of the fifty five minute set.
This recording can be listened to with confidence as a fully fledged "Jazz" album in just the same way as last years EST Symphony by The Royal Philharmonic and remaining members of EST could. There can be no higher praise.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
ACT Records ACT 0849-2
Stefano Bollani (pno), Jesper Bodilsen (bs) Morten Lund (drs) with Vincent Peirani (accordian/accordina) & The Berlin Philharmonica
Brainchild of Norwegian arranger and conductor Geir Lysne this live recording sets out to put the music of great Italian composers at the center of the new wave of European jazz. "Jazz At The Berlin Phiharmonic" as it is subtitled succeeds in every way bringing together one of the finest of the contemporary jazz trios, an outstanding guest on accordian, Vincent Peirani, alongside the artistry of a great orchestra. Forty four year old Stefano Bollani was originally from Milan and as well as being a fine pianist also spends time as a composer, vocalist and tv presenter. He is best known for his fifteen albums with trumpeter Enrico Rava but has also appeared with such diverse artists as Lee Konitz, Chick Corea and Pat Metheny to The Royal Concertgebouw and Toronto Symphony Orchestras. The award winning French accordionist Vincent Peirani who has established himself at the pinnacle of modern music has released nine albums under his own name and appeared on thirty others in his relatively short career. He can currently be found working with the likes of Michael Wollny, Lars Danielsson and Youn Sun Nah. Also a saxophonist in his own right, Geir Lysne has also led the NDR Big Band and worked extensively with Bobby McFerrin and Joe Lovano.
The album is a total triumph from start to finish, combining the three elements of trio, soloist and orchestra in kaleidoscope of profound yet highly accessible music. Both the classical and cinematic genres are covered with pieces by Rossini, Monteverdi and Puccini juxtaposed with the strident works from the likes of Rota, Morriconne and others. Peiriani's accordion is not over used but striking when it is particularly on the searching "O Mio Babbino Caro" (Oh My Beloved Father) from Puccini's opera Gianni Schicchi. It is very unusual to hear a string orchestra actually "swing" but that is exactly what happens on Montererverdi's "Sinfonia" which includes a fine solo passage from the viola of Martin Stegner. The three film works by Morriconne fit particularly well into this format with the main theme from "The Good The Bad And The Ugly" outstanding. The trio are left to there own devices on "Azzurro" by Palo Conte and Michele Virano, an extended piece with Bollani's piano sound compulsive and dynamic as it is for nearly all of the fifty five minute set.
This recording can be listened to with confidence as a fully fledged "Jazz" album in just the same way as last years EST Symphony by The Royal Philharmonic and remaining members of EST could. There can be no higher praise.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
