Stefano Battaglia Trio - In the Morning: Music of Alec Wilder (2015)

On his sixth album for ECM Italian pianist Stefano Battaglia and his trio reflect on the work of American composer Alec Wilder (1907-1980), known for his popular songs (recorded by Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra and others) as well as his chamber music and operas and his influential book 'American Popular Song: The Great Innovators (1900-1950)'.

"I first came into a more direct contact with Alec Wilder's music in the early 90s, when I was performing his Sonata for Oboe and Piano and his Sonata for Horn and Piano", Battaglia remembers. "I had already known some of his popular songs like 'While We're Young', 'Blackberry Winter' and 'Moon and Sand' through the intense versions Keith Jarrett has recorded. But after working on Wilder's chamber music I wanted to develop a deeper connection with his intriguing musical universe, and I've discovered an immense hidden treasure."

Almost three years after their last ECM album 'Songways', Battaglia and his partners Salvatore Maiore (bass) and Roberto Dani (drums) develop an almost telepathic rapport on 'In The Morning', a live recording from April 2014 at Teatro Vittoria in Torino. "My take on Alec Wilder is completely focused on the melodic aspect… after twenty years of study I can totally identify with this music", Battaglia emphasizes.

For Battaglia, the trio per se is one of the most rewarding formats in music, whether classical, jazz or rock. He sees his trio as part of a tradition which includes the legendary line-ups of Jimmy Giuffre/Paul Bley/Steve Swallow, Bill Evans/Scott La Faro/Paul Motian and Bley/Swallow/La Roca for the 1960s; the Jarrett/Haden/Motian and Bley/Peacock/Motian trios for the 1970s; and Jan Garbarek/Egberto Gismonti/Haden as well as Jarrett/Peacock/DeJohnette for the 1980s and later.

Tracklist:

01 In the Morning
02 River Run.flac 61.36 MB
03 Moon and Sand
04 When I am Dead My Dearest
05 Lake Isle of Innisfree
06 Where Do You Go?
07 Chick Lorimer

Personnel:

Stefano Battaglia: piano
Salvatore Maiore: bass
Roberto Dani: drums