John B Posted October 23, 2003 Report Posted October 23, 2003 I've spun this disc a few times and have been digging it more and more each time. Imagine the Italian Instabile Orchestra interpreting early 20th century American jazz with a dah of electronica thrown in. Great fun! I think a lot of people - not just fans of Italian jazz - would really enjoy this disc. The performances are exciting, the writing is fresh and the entire program is so joyful and exhuberant that I can't help but feel better after a few tracks. One of my top discs for 2003. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted October 23, 2003 Report Posted October 23, 2003 Great disc...though not my favourite Trovesi. Trovesi played what was probably my concert of the year in Bath, UK back in May. Anyone convinced that the giants no longer walk the earth should seek out Trovesi's discs. He's up there with the best in my book. Quote
Green Dolphin Posted October 29, 2003 Report Posted October 29, 2003 Great disc,and a real surprise-got it on the back of some good reviews,what else by him would you recommend Bev? Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted October 29, 2003 Report Posted October 29, 2003 (edited) Well.. There's a recent Enja (2002) called 'Dedalo' with the WDR Big Band that covers many of his tunes from over his career. A very nice retrospective. His best known and much praised recording is 'From G to G' by a great octet (including the magical Pino Minafra on trumpet) on Soul Note (1992). I really like 'Les Hommes Armes' (Octet, 1996) and 'Around Small Fairy Tales' (with large orchestra, 1998) both of which have a strong baroque flavour. 'Round About A Midsummer's Dream' (nonet, 2001) also has a baroque feel but with some wild Hendrixy guitar in places and some great pantomime from the dazzling tambourine player and singer, Carlo Rizzo (you really have to see it!). At the gentler end he's also recorded with accordionist Gianni Coscia at least twice. I have his ECM from 2000, 'In cerca di cibo.' Strong folk influence here. As you've probably gathered from 'Fugace' Trovesi is a real genre-mixer - jazz, Italian folk music and baroque classical figure very strongly in his music. But it never sounds ragbag...his wonderful playing always provides a focus. Ultimately you get something quite new, quite different and distinctly Italian out of it. I'm a big fan. Oh, and as an afterthought he's also a major voice on the Orchestra National de Jazz's 'Charmediterranean' of last year on ECM, probably my favourite disc of 2002. Edited October 29, 2003 by Bev Stapleton Quote
John B Posted October 29, 2003 Author Report Posted October 29, 2003 He is also a member of the Italian Instabile Orchestra and I would highly recomemnd their disc Litania Sibilante on Enja. Quote
Green Dolphin Posted October 29, 2003 Report Posted October 29, 2003 Thanks both,yet more to add to the list that never gets any smaller!So much music...so little money! Quote
SEK Posted October 29, 2003 Report Posted October 29, 2003 I picked up "Charmediterranéen" earlier this year, after reading Bev Stapleton's enthusiastic recommendation. Bev's praise was an understatement. "Charmediterranéen" quickly became a favorite recording that I've played often. "Fugace" has its merits, but I won't be playing it nearly as much. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted October 29, 2003 Report Posted October 29, 2003 Nice to know I made a convert! Fugace is interesting but I find it a bit academic by contrast with "Charmediterranéen" and Trovesi's other recordings. Quote
John B Posted October 30, 2003 Author Report Posted October 30, 2003 I picked up "Charmediterranéen" earlier this year, after reading Bev Stapleton's enthusiastic recommendation. Bev's praise was an understatement. "Charmediterranéen" quickly became a favorite recording that I've played often. "Fugace" has its merits, but I won't be playing it nearly as much. ok, based on these comments I will have to pick up a copy of Charmediterranéen asap! Quote
Clunky Posted October 30, 2003 Report Posted October 30, 2003 much as I like "Charmediterranéen" but I find that 'Round About A Midsummer's Dream' is the better record. The Hendrix like guitar sounds sooo good with the baroque influences. Quote
A Lark Ascending Posted October 30, 2003 Report Posted October 30, 2003 If Trovesi ever tours 'Round About A Midsummer's Dream' again travel many miles to hear it! One of the most enjoyable concerts I've ever seen. You had great writing, great arrangement, great playing and all done with a massive sense of humour and a sense of jazz as fun. Quote
SEK Posted October 30, 2003 Report Posted October 30, 2003 much as I like "Charmediterranéen" but I find that 'Round About A Midsummer's Dream' is the better record. The Hendrix like guitar sounds sooo good with the baroque influences. Sounds like I'll have to check out 'Round About A Midsummer's Dream'. Quote
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