STEFANO LEONARDI - L'Eterno
LEO CD LR 830
Stefano Leonardi - flute, bass flute, launeddas (from Sardinia and consisting of 3 pipes – the mancosedda is a specific type); sulittu*; Marco Colonna - clarinet, alto clarinet, bass clarinet; Antonio Bertoni - cello; Fridolin Blumer - double bass; Heinz Geisser - percussion, waterphone
Recorded on July 24, 2017 at Real Sound Studio, Milan
*The sulittu is essentially a ‘flute’ though not a transverse flute as is the concert flute. It is quite small, 2 to 4 holes only and elsewhere it is known as a flabiol, seen in the Catalunyan coblas bands accompanying sardana dancing and in which it is used to play a few introductory notes typically ending on an upward scale and with a tap on the tambori. The sardana echoes Sardinia of course. Staying with Catalunya for a moment, another more complex of their traditions involves drama, singing and dance. It is called the Zarzuela and is echoed in a seafood stew of the same name.
The opening phrases and whisperings tell me that I will be hearing interesting sounds centred around polyphonic constructs and so it is, but this is extended by the resilience of the two woodwinds which quickly find a wonderful empathy. This is augmented by the billowing intertwining of Antonio Bertoni’s cello and the whole band’s voice becomes an imposing entity in its own right. It is quietly spectacular and purifying, free and immaterial, spirited and enchanting.
We should not expect less than this magnificent sound of course as each member of the ensemble is well established and recognized for his work in experimental jazz and the avant scene generally. Whatever elements they bring to the occasion, they also bring the skills to extemporaneously amalgamate such much-diversified foundations via ingenious performance into a pioneering sound.
Exceptional.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
LEO CD LR 830
Stefano Leonardi - flute, bass flute, launeddas (from Sardinia and consisting of 3 pipes – the mancosedda is a specific type); sulittu*; Marco Colonna - clarinet, alto clarinet, bass clarinet; Antonio Bertoni - cello; Fridolin Blumer - double bass; Heinz Geisser - percussion, waterphone
Recorded on July 24, 2017 at Real Sound Studio, Milan
*The sulittu is essentially a ‘flute’ though not a transverse flute as is the concert flute. It is quite small, 2 to 4 holes only and elsewhere it is known as a flabiol, seen in the Catalunyan coblas bands accompanying sardana dancing and in which it is used to play a few introductory notes typically ending on an upward scale and with a tap on the tambori. The sardana echoes Sardinia of course. Staying with Catalunya for a moment, another more complex of their traditions involves drama, singing and dance. It is called the Zarzuela and is echoed in a seafood stew of the same name.
The opening phrases and whisperings tell me that I will be hearing interesting sounds centred around polyphonic constructs and so it is, but this is extended by the resilience of the two woodwinds which quickly find a wonderful empathy. This is augmented by the billowing intertwining of Antonio Bertoni’s cello and the whole band’s voice becomes an imposing entity in its own right. It is quietly spectacular and purifying, free and immaterial, spirited and enchanting.
We should not expect less than this magnificent sound of course as each member of the ensemble is well established and recognized for his work in experimental jazz and the avant scene generally. Whatever elements they bring to the occasion, they also bring the skills to extemporaneously amalgamate such much-diversified foundations via ingenious performance into a pioneering sound.
Exceptional.
Reviewed by Ken Cheetham
