STEFANO BATTAGLIA · PIERRE FAVRE — Omen (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Italian pianist Stefano Battaglia is known for his excellent technique and sensitive touch. So is percussionist Pierre Favre. It comes as no surprise that these two would someday find each other and record a duo album. The results are often slow and pretty, sometimes bordering on new age fluff, but never crossing the line. Battaglia is a master of discovering the essence of single notes, as he lets each tone resonate with near-perfect clarity. Favre, too, eschews the bombastic, treating each sound with delicate precision. Often he whispers his thoughts through his instruments, shading and complementing his partner. The nine pieces, all composed by the pianist, lack conventional melody, but each is architecturally sophisticated. At times Battaglia takes it outside, with blinding speed, reminding the listener that his light touch is by choice, not limitation. At those moments, Favre follows, though he is more restrained, never overpowering his partner. While not all of it is successful, this recording, recorded in Switzerland, should satisfy admirers of both Favre and Battaglia and attract some new fans. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1.    Landing    10:15
2.    Omen    6:21
3.    Marionette    3:20
4.    Danse    8:57
5.    Moth In The Amber    5:31
6.    Cry    5:07
7.    Gestural    4:22
8.    Crossing    4:09
9.    Ashokh    7:44
Credits :
Percussion – Pierre Favre
Piano, Music By – Stefano Battaglia
Text By [Quote In Booklet] – Rainer Maria Rilke

PAUL GIGER - Alpstein (1991) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Violin virtuoso Paul Giger revisits his roots with this, his second solo recording, Alpstein, which features pieces for violin, saxophone, and percussion based on the folk traditions of the Alpstein region of Switzerland. Three pieces here are entitled "Zäuerli" -- named after the sad majestic "natur yodel" tradition of the Outer Rhoden region. These are sweeping and majestic with high harmonic bowstrokes. This recording features the saxophone work of Jan Garbarek and the percussion of Pierre Favre. Both add an incredible warmth to the recording on the pieces they are featured on, most notably "Alpsegen" with its soaring sax lines and manic percussion. Also notable is "Chlauseschuppel," featuring the sounds of cowbells specific to that region. Informative booklet included. by Mark Allender
Tracklist:
1    Zäuerli, for violin, tenor saxophone & percussion 3:10   
Paul Giger
2    Karma Shadub, for chorus & violin 13:41
Paul Giger
3    Alpsegen, for violin, tenor saxophone & percussion 12:43
Paul Giger
4    Zäuerli, for violin, tenor saxophone & percussion 1:53   
Paul Giger
5    Zäuerli, for violin, tenor saxophone & percussion 2:21   
Paul Giger
6    Chuereihe, for violin, tenor saxophone & percussion 17:33   
Paul Giger
7    Chiauseschuppel, for violin, tenor saxophone & percussion 4:09   
Paul Giger
8    Trogener Chilbiläbe, for violin, tenor saxophone & percussion 7:00
Paul Giger
Credits:
Composed By [All Compositions By] – Paul Giger
Design [Cover Design] – Andrew Ward
Ensemble – Schellenschötter, Silvesterchlauseschuppel
Percussion – Pierre Favre
Producer [Produced By] – Manfred Eicher
Tenor Saxophone – Jan Garbarek
Violin – Paul Giger