Songways Stefano Battaglia Trio

• 1 Euphonia Elegy 12:11
• 2 Ismaro 05:09
• 3 Vondervotteimittis 07:22
• 4 Armonia 13:50
• 5 Mildendo Wide Song 06:09
• 6 Monte Analogo 06:51
• 7 Abdias 03:40
• 8 Songways 08:42
• 9 Perla 05:17
• 10 Babel Hymn 08:52
• Total Runtime 01:18:03

Info for Songways

Italian pianist Stefano Battaglia and his trio develop directions established on their acclaimed 2011 release “The River of Anyder” with a new selection of chants, hymns and dances, all written by Battaglia and inspired by descriptions of visionary places from art and literature – from Alfred Kubin, Jonathan Swift or Charles Fourier to Italo Calvino. “Songways” finds “a new harmonic balance between archaic modal pre-tonal chant and dances, pure tonal songs and hymns and abstract texture,” Battgalia says, “thus documenting the natural development of the Trio life, with a larger space for action from the drums”.

Stefano Battaglia, piano
Salvatore Maiore, double bass
Roberto Dani, drums

Recorded April 2012, Auditorio Radiotelevisione Svizzera, Lugano
Lugano Engineer: Stefano Amerio
Produced by Manfred Eicher

Stefano Battaglia
(born 1965 in Milan) first drew international attention as a classical pianist, playing music from baroque and early music to 20th century composition, touring the European festivals in this capacity, before making the transition to music that incorporated improvisation, inspired initially by Paul Bley and Keith Jarrett. A strong feeling for structure, a legacy from the ‘classical’ years, continues to inform all his work. He has been an ECM artist since 2003, when the double album “Raccolto” was recorded. Subsequent releases have included “Re: Pasolini” a tribute to the Italian filmmaker and polymath, which includes contributions from Salvatore Maiore and Roberto Dani, and “Pastorale”, an album of duets with Michele Rabbia.

Salvatore Maiore
was born in Sassari in 1965, and studied double bass at the Cagliari conservatory. He has played with numerous Italian configurations and worked with visiting musicians including Lee Konitz, Billy Cobham, Joseph Jarman, Steve Grossman, Cedar Walton, Oliver Lake, and David Liebman. His discography includes recordings with Glauco Venier, Klaus Gesing, Al DiMeola and many others.

Roberto Dani
was born in Vicenza, Italy in 1969 and began playing drums at the age of 7. He has specialized in small ensemble work, exploring the borders between improvised and written music. His own bands and projects have included Norma Winstone, Louis Sclavis, Michel Godard and others. He has also played with Annette Peacock, Ralph Alessi, Ben Monder, Mick Goodrick and many more. He has played numerous solo concerts and also issued solo drum albums, recent releases include “Lontano”, for prepared drums, on the Stella Nera label.

Booklet for Songways