Monday, April 5, 2021

Federico Calcagno - Urlo d'Ebano (2021)

“The new bishop of the best Italian and European Jazz”
[A. Bazzurro, All About Jazz IT]

"Very special and original instrumentalist; fantastic."
[Franco D’Andrea – Premio Gaslini]

First solo album by clarinetist and composer Federico Calcagno, "Urlo d’Ebano" features seven original compositions orchestrated for clarinet septet -except for the suite "Seven Virtues of Bushido" for solo instrument- formed by four clarinets and three bass clarinets, all played by Federico Calcagno.

Recorded during the Coronavirus second wave, this work represents a cross-section of this specific historical period, denouncing how the cultural-performative sector has not been given as much attention as it was instead ensured to the main economic industries and to religious, political and sports activities in our society.

This musical adventure is in fact a creative response to a specific time in which live performances are denied to audiance and music makers. Not by chance, "Urlo d’Ebano" is a “studio”project that cannot be reproduced in a live concert by a solo instrument, unless seven different clarinet players put their forces together.

The tracks can be organized in three subgroups, following a compositional logic. The first subgroup features four pieces which are characterized by clear written structures and contents: "Perseverance", "Parallalel Events", "Escapeless" and "Cybernetic Brotherhood". The second subgroup includes two tracks – "Pentaweb" and "Labyrinth Music", which involve the use of graphic notation, while the "Seven Virtues of Bushido" suite represents the last subgroup, composed by seven different short solos.
1. Labyrinth Music 02:50
2. Perseverance 04:46
3. Pentaweb 03:13
4. Parallel Events 04:30
5. Cybernetic Brotherhood 03:50
6. Escapeless 06:25
7. Seven Virtues of Bushido: Justice 01:02
8. Seven Virtues of Bushido: Courage 01:15
9. Seven Virtues of Bushido: Benevolence 01:02
10. Seven Virtues of Bushido: Respect 01:10
11. Seven Virtues of Bushido: Honesty 01:28
12. Seven Virtues of Bushido: Honour 01:09
13. Seven Virtues of Bushido: Loyalty 00:59

Federico Calcagno: Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Compositions

Recording Engineer: Federico Calcagno

Mixing/Mastering Engineer: Alessandro Mazzieri