There are different ways of talking about a meeting that has important implications for those involved. This is the case of Edward Simon (classical and jazz trained pianist) who together with Scott Colley (double bass) and Clarence Penn (drums) interprets the music of one of our major composers for theater and cinema, Fiorenzo Carpi.
This is a strange fate, which leads the talented trio to remind us of some of the best things in our musical repertoire often overshadowed by the -misleading- idea that music is a complement and not a protagonist of a cinematic or theatrical work.
Strehler's reflection is exemplary in this regard: «My theater is held together by the notes of Fiorenzo Carpi. Very often his music gave, at the beginning or during the work, the internal "clarification" I needed, the illumination of a "whole" that I could not grasp ».
And the filmography set to music by the Milanese composer is boundless, dotted with successes achieved alongside great directors such as Malle, Comencini or Mazzacurati. Today Carpi's "director's notes" (not simple scores) live again in this project: Diego Urcola in particular should be mentioned as a special guest engaged in an enveloping "Eugenia's Theme" (from "My God, how I fell down" ); lyrically moved the "solo" of "Nel parco" (from "Maggio musicale"); the main title of the disc is an introspective meditation dramatically accentuated in the manner of the revolutionary Bach Gould. The narrative force of the melody becomes a precious and profound tool in Simon's hands,
These are topics of great emotional involvement. It is difficult not to flinch when thinking back to the master played by Bruno Cirino who alone was worth a recent history of our country (the script by Vittorio De Seta was based, it is worth remembering, on "A year in Pietralata" by Albino Bernardini, 1968 ). Carpi's music managed, and still manages listening to it in this capacity, to absolutize this truth of the story, to which the trio adds flavors and comparisons of a different language but equally mindful of a painful mode of accents. One more way to think about what is missing today.
It is not a mere jazz reinterpretation, but an authentic reinterpretation of Carpi's compositions, the result of which is captivating and well thought out in the internal and overall balances. - AAJ Italy Staff
Tracks
01. Eugenia's Theme
02. Passeggiata Nel Parco
03. In Cerca Di Cibo
04. Nel Parco
05. Diario Di Un Maestro
06. Valzer Lento
07. Eugenia's Theme
08. Passeggiata Nel Parco (Reprise)
09. Diario Di Un Maestro
10. In Cerca Di Cibo
SCOTT COLLEY bass
EDWARD SIMON piano
CLARENCE PENN drums
DIEGO URCOLA trumpet (1)
Music composed by Floren<o Carpi
Recorded July 26-27, 2006 at Sear Sound, New York
C.A.M. Jazz – CAMJ 7843-2