Stephano Battaglia and Michele Rabbia – Pastorale

Stephano Battaglia is an expert improviser, using many strategies and finding ideas within ideas. As he alters and changes notes here with his fellow improviser and master percussionist Michele Rabbia, Battaglia’s pianism not only compliments and enhances their performances, but assumes a percussionist’s role that is not congruent with mainstream tonal perceptions.  The duo explores the depth of choreographer Pina Bausch on “Tanztheater” which is a suite of dances improvised in her memory.

This gigue in 3/8 time is also a gavotte and includes a long hypnotic section of ‘primitive’ groove. “Cantar del Alma” and “Sundance In Balkh” both incorporate material derived from folk songs emanating from the Mediterranean and Arab-Andalusian regions. Overall, on PASTORALE, Battaglia and Rabbia offer personal, progressive interpretationS that are equally important as their previous collaborations on RE: PASOLINI and the  amount of music they’ve shared with their fans since the early 1990s. To purchase PASTORALE and other great works by Stephano Battaglia and Michele Rabbia.

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