GREGORIO BARDINI

"Sentinelle Del Mattino"

The Eastern Front - 2007

CD - 1000 copies

Gregorio Bardini is one legendary name in the Italian music scene. Diplomated in flute at two Italian Conservatories, concertist of international fame and teacher, he's a recognized authority in the fields of classical, ancient and popular music, but he's also known for his collaborations with several bands of the Italian underground and industrial scene, such as T.A.C., Kino Glaz and Thelema. More recently, he appeared on Thaglaz's well-known ultra-limited edition compilations. "Sentinelle Del Mattino" is his new full-length work, released by notorious Israeli label The Eastern Front, and a definitive statement of the man's unique talent to move across genres and styles with elegance and inventiveness.

Do not expect neofolk or anything you might be familiar with: Gregorio Bardini's new songbook is the ultimate hazardous alliance between experimental electronics and classical music for flute and other unusual wind instruments, such as gurna, kena, ocarina and ciaramella. Many guests contribute with voice and a variety of other instruments, including piano, keyboards, sax and strings. Among them there's, not surprisingly, Stefan Rukavina, of Thaglasz and Bleiburg fame, but surely the most interesting participation is that of Mary De Rachewiltz, the daughter of Ezra Pound, who's reading a fragment from "Cantos" on opening "Erzra Pound In Mantua". Her illustrious father's original voice appears too, with the famous verses against usura, on "With Usura".

The music of "Sentinelle Del Mattino" is very fascinating and unique, dominated by Gregorio's distinctive flute and wind instruments play, creeping minimal electronic tunes, ancient rhythms, unsettling reciting voices and mysterious, ancestral atmospheres. A rich collection of styles, ideas and experiments beyond any stereotype. Not an easy and immediate listening, it requires the listener an attentive and open-minded approach to appreciate such a work out of any scheme.

- Simon V.

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