Florian Favre - Idantitâ (2022) [Official Digital Download]

The Florian Favre Trio's last album so far, On A Smiling Gust Of Wind, was a good while ago, the break until the new work Idantitâ is now available also has something to do with the pandemic. Because the pianist from Switzerland has not lacked positive encouragement and the associated motivation. The local and German-speaking press agreed early on: Favre is original and charming, highly talented and artistically unconventional.

In his own compositions, Favre takes up some aspects of traditional life, sometimes with a critical eye. In 5/8 time, Don't Burn The Wich muses on the rural attitude that someone who seems different isn't okay. "People are talked about who differ visually or because of their opinion, and they are discriminated against quite quickly. When I was writing, I thought of a person who dances crazy, and I wanted to celebrate this person musically." An acknowledgment of the traditional way of life, on the other hand, can be found in The Cowboy. "The clichéd cowboy in American westerns almost never actually works with cows. My play is a tribute to the Swiss cowherds who go about their important job modestly and without fuss. In keeping with their calm demeanor, I'm playing sparingly here." A clear case of self-mockery characterizes The dzodzet. "People from the area are called that here and it's not meant derogatory at all. However, I had in mind a person who walks down the street dressed up and takes himself too seriously." For several years now, Florian Favre has been exploring the possibilities of preparing the grand piano in such a way that abstract, atypical sounds are created. For the pieces Nouthra Dona di Maortsè and The dzodzet, which are at least partly more rhythmic, he uses a box of nails and a dictionary to create the slightly rattling, snare drum-like sound. In the erratic, dancing Don't burn… Favre uses dampers from the piano tuner's toolbox to stop the tones. He creates dry, staccato, repetitive patterns and a hint of kick drum. And how does Cole Porter's I've Got You Under My Skin fit into the repertoire as the last track on the album? "The traditionally sung songs are part of my identity, I wear them under my skin," explains Favre. "Ultimately, they were the ones that accompanied me growing up, more than classical music and jazz. At first, I found the serious study of them to be a kind of challenge, because I didn't appreciate the pieces that much, so I had to give them a chance first . But then it turned into a love affair, mainly because I interpret it differently, in a contemporary way and just don't play it the way I did 50 or more years ago." Favre understands his personal access to the traditions a little more fundamentally. "It's never about worshiping the ashes, but about passing on the embers: developing new perspectives and points of view is always an essential part of evolution." There is nothing to add.

With his album Indantità, Florian Favre presents atmospheric, lyrical to powerful piano music that eludes clear categorization and at the same time offers many points of contact. Her unobtrusive beauty is characteristic of the Swiss pianist, whose humor and lightness never appear light-hearted. jazz

TRACKLIST

01. Florian Favre - Idantitâ
02. Florian Favre - Le lutin du chalet des Rêbes
03. Florian Favre - Don't Burn the Witch
04. Florian Favre - Le Ranz des vaches
05. Florian Favre - Le vieux chalet
06. Florian Favre - Nouthra Dona di Maortsè
07. Florian Favre - Adyu mon bi Payi
08. Florian Favre - Our Cowboy
09. Florian Favre - La montagne
10. Florian Favre - The Dzodzet
11. Florian Favre - La fanfare du Printemps
12. Florian Favre - I've Got You Under My Skin



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