Emile Parisien & Roberto Negro — Les Métanuits
Les Métanuits is a release that sits between the worlds of jazz and classical music. It pairs together French soprano saxophonist Emile Parisien with Italian pianist Roberto Negro- for an eleven-track album inspired by György Ligeti's String Quartet No. 1 "Métamorphoses nocturnes". And it’s certainly a release that's at the more elegant and moody side of the improv form.
The release appears on Germany's Act Label. With the CD coming presented in a six-panel white & matt fold-out digipak- featuring spot vanish inks & photos of the pair. So a nicely sleek & arty bit of presentation.
A little bit about those involved- Frenchman Emile Parisien has been actively playing both Soprano & alto sax since the early 2000’s- along the way gain a few awards, and notoriety for his work- which is influenced by both the likes of John Coltrane & Igor Stravinsky. Pianist and composer Roberto Negro was born in Torino- before moving to Chambéry and then Paris to study. He is the linchpin member of the Orleans-based group, Tricollectif, and has been musically active since the early 2010s.
The eleven tracks featured have runtimes of just over a minute, and just over six minutes. In the first half we go from tolling piano climbs & darkly wistful horn weaves of opener “Allegro Graziso” which becomes more abstract and manic the further we go in. There’s tapping to jaunting keys meets vibrant honks of “Presto” which sounds like a Micheal Nyman track going highwire.
In the second half of the record, we move the haunting warbling horn & forlorn note patterns of “Andante tranquillo”. Onto the prepared piano rhythmic tapping, keynote jolts, and playful honks ‘n’ wails of “Meccanico”. With the album playing out with whistle warbling meets skittering tiny note detail of “Largo”.
Les Métanuits certainly is a nicely varied release- showing both parties considerable skills with their instruments, and keen sense for both mood & sonic invention. I wasn’t aware of either Parisien or Negro’s work before this release- but I’ll most certainly be keeping an eye out for their names in the future.