Re: Pasolini (2CD Set)

In his second ECM album Italy’s Stefano Battaglia honours his countryman Pier Paolo Pasolini (1922-1975), one of the great European filmmakers of the 20th century, as well as a distinguished poet, novelist, playwright, philosopher, journalist, painter – and political activist. Few artists of any nationality have taken on as much as the outspoken, controversial, intensively creative Pasolini. It was precisely the scope of Pasolini’s work and his tumultuous life that attracted and inspired pianist-composer-improviser Battaglia. “What made the challenge of ‘interpreting’ Pasolini musically irresistible for me was this feeling for his unitas multiplex, his extraordinary capacity to bring opposites into coexistence. Not only academic and popular culture, or the sacred and profane, but also political, ethical and religious issues. Pasolini was adept in many mediums, each of his arts influenced the other, intermeshing and blending together to communicate his message in the most varied ways. “

Two different line-ups under Battaglia’s direction are assigned to play music that variously makes reference to the atmospheres of Pasolini’s films and to the actors in them, to Pasolini’s ‘rural’ and ‘urban’ poetry and his provocative journalism, to his political and religious beliefs, and to specific scenes from his biography...The first CD of this double album features a group that also tours as the Pietra Lata Sestetto. Alongside Battaglia’s lyrical piano, the trumpet of Switzerland’s Michael Gassmann glides elegantly: Battaglia and Gassmann have played in projects together for 13 years already. The sound of the ensemble is also strongly coloured by the clarinet of Mirco Mariottini and the cello of Tokyo-born Aya Shimura. Melody is uppermost on the first half of “Re: Pasolini” where melancholy, nostalgia and tenderness are amongst the music’s emotional characteristics. Darker sounds predominate on the second CD where the improvisational quotient is raised, and the band includes Dominique Pifarély, Bruno Chevillon and Vincent Courtois – all known to ECM listeners for their work with Louis Sclavis – , as well as gifted drummer Michele Rabbia. Here, Battaglia looks at subjects including Pasolini’s troubled relationship to the church and his radical politics, and, on the bleak but moving “Ostia”, his violent death in 1975. Of the latter composition, Battaglia says, “My piece is intended as a Passion for Pasolini, a soundtrack for the violent and mysterious tragedy which occurred on that night of All Saints...”