Enrico Rava/Stefano Bollani The Third Man ECM By George W. Harris
Don’t expect Orson Wells or Joseph Cotton to show up on this disc. Instead, think more in terms of Romantic Schumman-like sonatas, featuring the tearful horn of Rava, and the dark toned piano of Bollani, as they gracefully piece together a series of originals with a maximum of feel and emotion, mixed with delicate and timely restraint. Lyrical themes like “Birth of A Butterfly” are introduced as yearning duets which lead to Bollani’s ruminative soloing, and then support, as Rava re-enters to explore the nuances of the melody. This modus operandi is taken to it’s logical conclusion on the stark and spacious “Retrato Em Branco (and Variations)” as every melodic hint, feign or clue is dissected as if searching for all of the ingredients in a favorite home recipe. Bollani’s luminous piano is the perfect mate for Rava’s searching golden horn. Thoughtful, regretful, but never without being provocative.
