“Scandala” and the music outcome of human connections
in Stefano Costanzo’s Oportet new EP
Back with his band, the Italian drummer joins forces with
Marco Fiorenzano (piano), Umberto Lepore (double bass)
and Davide Maria Viola on cello
Recorded live in studio, back when welcoming people to a music performance was still an option, “Scandala” is Italian drummer Stefano Costanzo’s Oportet new EP (currently available as digital release only on Auand Records), featuring Marco Fiorenzano (piano) and Umberto Lepore (double bass), plus Davide Maria Viola on cello.
The entire work is an effort to focus on the essential, as Costanzo explains: «This album was recorded in a studio, in front of students who listened and witnessed how to record on tape with no second take. Mistakes are allowed – they can always open a new door – but you must guard against anything unnecessary, such as a solo as intended in the jazz world. Instead, we wanted to make room (and time) for what is essential in the very moment of recording out of instinct.»
Nevertheless, time and instinct came only after a painstaking, almost obsessive work on countless details for each of the four tracks. «The EP was born after a very long gestation – Costanzo adds – with raving rehearsals on every single section of every track. It also went through intense sharing moments of human interactions, besides the music.»
These are the key elements in Scandala: human connections and bonds: «Oportet was formed eight years ago because of human connections. I can’t write music for people I don’t know personally. I’ve noticed that when I compose music with some specific people in mind, the result is not only a very fluid interplay, but also that genuineness that comes from trust and empathy.»
1 Una ex septem
2 Roccocó
3 Trapaniana
4 Michelangelo Viscusi
Marco Fiorenzano piano
Umberto Lepore double bass, bells, objects
Stefano Costanzo drums, bells, bow and objects
Davide Maria Viola cello (on tracks 1 and 4)
All tracks are composed and arranged by Stefano Costanzo
Recorded live at Godfather Studio (Napoli, Italia) on a Studer ATR by Massimiliano Pone during a record lesson
Exectuive producer: Marco Valente
Mixed by Umberto Lepore
Mastered by Giovanni Roma at "L'arte dei rumori" (Marano, Napoli)
Cover paint by Emanuele Pacini (photo by Alberto Pezzuti)
