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Finisterre Project — Höstsonaten
(Mellow MMP 320, 1997, CD)

by Alain Lachapelle, Published 1997-10-01

Höstsonaten Cover art

From the outset, we find almost the same line-up as for a full-fledged Finisterre album. Shared guests on both albums are Claudio Castellini on vocals and Edmondo Romano on recorders and soprano saxophone. What makes this album a 'project' is that it is Finisterre's bass player Fabio Zuffanti's project. Written, arranged and produced by Zuffanti, Höstsonaten's pièce de resistance is the self-titled offering, a 40+ minute suite detailed in eight sections. The music here, if compared to the most recent Finisterre album, In Limine, is much more straightforward and lyrical. A quality that rises from "Höstsonaten" is the flowing of melodies into each other, the gentle weaving of largely acoustic textures, the suite of expressive themes. As a somewhat more regular progressive offering, the musical explorations are giving way to expressions. The accent is on the feeling, and the musical participations are targeted accordingly. It is here much more important to settle the atmosphere and make it evolve slowly to carefully bring in the listener into this world of beautiful autumnal dances. Of course, for Finisterre fans, you will find here many of the signs of the Finisterre trademark, more specifically in the expression of thematic lead guitar lines and the flowing vocals. "Höstsonaten" stands the test of integrity over its 40+ minutes as the themes effortlessly comes in and out of focus, underlined by the remarkable presence of Francesca Biagini on flute, giving a full and rich, whole tone to acoustic passages. This is in a way a simple work, which shares an important characteristic of simplicity: a feeling and a music clearly expressed. Largely resounding with an acoustic ring, "Höstsonaten" will please a lot of progressive amateurs wishing to experience a delightful and sweet, although sometimes more biting music, where Mini-Moog leads cohabitate nicely with flute and saxophone, on many a backdrop of acoustic guitar.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 13, 1997 releases

Related artist(s): Höstsonaten, Finisterre

More info
http://mellowlabelproductions.bandcamp.com/album/h-stsonaten

 

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