Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » EAOrchestra: Likeidos
EAOrchestra: Likeidos
ByAnother unusual aspect of the music on Likeidos is its lack of a pulsing rhythm section. Instead of driving the pieces, percussionist Francesco Cigana plays sparingly, supplying color and texture. Guitarist Marco Tindiglia's legato approach puts him in league with the winds and brass. The absence of a bassist is compensated by the presence of contrabassoon, bass clarinet, and trombonebut all three tend to play lines that complement or provide counterpoint to the actions of the higher-pitched instruments. Thankfully, there is no lack of rhythmic forward motion as a resulta further tribute to the ensemble's vast musical skills. Though carefully arranged and highly scored, the music seems warm and organic, unlike the contemporary classical music that clearly influences Cosottini and Pisani. The shimmering guitar/soprano saxophone duet that opens "Oscillazioni" is gripping from the first utterance and intensifies its hold as Mirko Guerrini's tenor sax joins the dance around a swaying ensemble figure. The music ebbs and flowssoloists fade in and out, alliances are formed and brokenas the piece turns and floats like a giant Calder mobile.
Sylvano Bussotti's "Autotono," by contrast, is episodic, consisting of sharply defined sections of ensemble and solo passages based on a graphical score. Mimmo's soprano work here is absolutely stunningat times spitting out granules of sound like watermelon seeds. The title track is an avant-garde ballad of sorts. The piece derives its flow from its ever-shifting harmonic densities and constantly fluctuating dynamics. "Point" offers a little more of what might be expected when the phrase "contemporary classical" is utteredrandomly peeping brass, clarinets, and double reeds are offset by a malevolent theme played by low brass, low reeds, and contrabassoon. Tindiglia's distorted, metallic guitar is particularly effective during the piece's climax.
Likeidos presents skillfully played, imaginative avant-garde music that transgresses musical boundaries as much as it transcends them. Not destined for across-the-board appeal, EAOrchestra nevertheless has created and filled a fascinating niche in the jazz/classical continuum. The warmth and beauty of the music on this disc is, by itself, a minor triumph.
Track Listing
Oscillazioni; 19.7.2001.2011; 20.7.2001.2011; 21.7.2001.2011; Back Again; Autotono; Likeidos; Point; Smooth Drop.
Personnel
Alessio Pisani: bassoon, contrabassoon, conduction (2, 4, 8); Mirio Cosottini: trumpet, flugelhorn, conduction (1); Mario Arcari: oboe, oboe amore, conduction (1); Diego Baroni: bass clarinet; Angelo Contini: trombone; Mirko Guerrini: tenor saxophone; Gianni Mimmo: soprano saxophone; Marco Tindiglia: electric guitar; Adriana Boschi: clarinet; Francesco Cigana: drums; Sergio Durante: flute, alto flute; Marcello Giannandrea: bassoon; Simone Marzocchi; trumpet; Andrea Tinacci: clarinet; Enrico Tofano: bassoon.
Album information
Title: Likeidos | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Amirani Records
< Previous
Dupleix