A.Braida & G. Locatelli: Diciannove Calefazioni

Diciannove Calefazioni is brought to you by Italian based Takla Records and was recorded at “Lodi’s Cathedral” which is presumably somewhere in Italy. On this release we have Pianist, Alberto Braida performing duets with Clarinetist Giancarlo Locatelli. This recording contains 19 tracks, which pretty much follow suit or flow in ascending order.

Basically, these gentlemen feed off one another throughout and perform brief or sparse passages which seem spontaneous and of a “call and response” nature. Giancarlo Locatelli has performed with the better know Italian improviser, Fabio Martini who also recorded this project. Locatelli alternates between Bb Clarinet, Alto Clarinet and Bass Clarinet as Alberto Braida performs solely on his Acoustic Piano. Typically, the thematic approach revolves around short sporadic bursts from both men as they often create a sense of space or depth. These patterns of improvisation remain fairly constant throughout, although Locatelli does stretch a bit towards the middle to end of the recording. Interesting approach yet taken as a whole, this writer found it difficult to sustain interest throughout these 19 tracks, clocking in at 66 minutes. Even by free-jazz or modern improvisation standards or perhaps “implied standards”, these compositions become less meaningful as the project unfolds. Perhaps too much of a good thing doesn’t appear to be all that good after awhile. However, the intuitiveness displayed among these two musicians is commendable and somewhat uncanny. Diversity or willingness to explore other turf may have given Diciannove Calefazioni a little more staying power. * * *

e-mail [email protected]