TOMMASO STARACE - From A Distant Past
Universal/Emarcy 060254771656
Tommaso Starace (alto & soprano saxophones); Michele Di Toto (piano)
Recorded 8th September 2015
Paring down to the bare bones in a duet with pianist Michele Di Tori, saxophonist Starace further explores the world or melody and composition with a cinematic quality, following on from his Italian Short Stories and Plays The Photos of Elliott Erwitt which were based around specific images but nonetheless captured the movement and life behind the imagery.
With From A Distant Past it is fair to say that Starace has taken the concept up a notch in a set that conjures up not just still images or photographs but embraces the fluidity of movement, and story telling of a motion picture. This broad scope and cinematic quality in a set of mostly original music that is evidence of how he is maturing as a player and composer of vivid imagination, with music that is infectious, moving and unfurls in a real time narrative that is quite enthralling to listen to.
Of the the two 'non original' pieces, it is Chick Corea's 'Children's Song No. 6' that intergrates it's way into the programmatic flow of the album most successfully, indeed any of these delightful pieces by Corea will fit seemlessly as the playful nature of the music cannot fail to conjure up scenes of innocence, laughter and children playing, but the real meat of the album is in the music penned by Starace and Di Tori.
Interestingly, much of the music for piano was written note for note, and rather than inhibit the movement and lithe lines of the saxophone it serves to add an additional discipline and purpose to the melodic lines spun from Tommaso's alto or soprano. It is therefore.down to the strenght of the compositions that there is so much apparent freedom of movement within quite strict guidelines. This cinematic scope is brought to the fore in the staggeringly impressive 'Perseus and Andromeda' with the saxophone and piano ranging far in a piece that is taut and fresh and full of interest, and equally dramatic 'Soundtrack'.
The lighter side of the duo's music is heard in the delightful 'Jump For Joy' and the almost comical 'The Court Jester' with the cat and mouse phrases between piano and alto. This splendid and often spellbinding album conclude's with Michele Di Tori's beautiful 'La favola continua', that after fading away and and a few moments contemplation will have you reaching for the repeat button.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Universal/Emarcy 060254771656
Tommaso Starace (alto & soprano saxophones); Michele Di Toto (piano)
Recorded 8th September 2015
Paring down to the bare bones in a duet with pianist Michele Di Tori, saxophonist Starace further explores the world or melody and composition with a cinematic quality, following on from his Italian Short Stories and Plays The Photos of Elliott Erwitt which were based around specific images but nonetheless captured the movement and life behind the imagery.
With From A Distant Past it is fair to say that Starace has taken the concept up a notch in a set that conjures up not just still images or photographs but embraces the fluidity of movement, and story telling of a motion picture. This broad scope and cinematic quality in a set of mostly original music that is evidence of how he is maturing as a player and composer of vivid imagination, with music that is infectious, moving and unfurls in a real time narrative that is quite enthralling to listen to.
Of the the two 'non original' pieces, it is Chick Corea's 'Children's Song No. 6' that intergrates it's way into the programmatic flow of the album most successfully, indeed any of these delightful pieces by Corea will fit seemlessly as the playful nature of the music cannot fail to conjure up scenes of innocence, laughter and children playing, but the real meat of the album is in the music penned by Starace and Di Tori.
Interestingly, much of the music for piano was written note for note, and rather than inhibit the movement and lithe lines of the saxophone it serves to add an additional discipline and purpose to the melodic lines spun from Tommaso's alto or soprano. It is therefore.down to the strenght of the compositions that there is so much apparent freedom of movement within quite strict guidelines. This cinematic scope is brought to the fore in the staggeringly impressive 'Perseus and Andromeda' with the saxophone and piano ranging far in a piece that is taut and fresh and full of interest, and equally dramatic 'Soundtrack'.
The lighter side of the duo's music is heard in the delightful 'Jump For Joy' and the almost comical 'The Court Jester' with the cat and mouse phrases between piano and alto. This splendid and often spellbinding album conclude's with Michele Di Tori's beautiful 'La favola continua', that after fading away and and a few moments contemplation will have you reaching for the repeat button.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
