Announcing the second stopover on Passepartout Duo’s ‘Pieces From Places’ album, a project which will build incrementally, released as one new track per month for a year, until their epic journey has been completely mapped out.
Pianist Nicoletta Favari and percussionist Christopher Salvito’s first snapshot from this sonic expedition came out at the end of March with the flowing gamelan tapestry of ‘From Taipei’. Recorded during a stay in Taiwan it featured Favari and Salvito each playing a taishogoto, a Japanese stringed instrument with a zinging dulcimer-like voice. Exotic and contemplative but with vibrant human pulse, the tune reflected a personal time and place but had a transportive impact for any listener. So where to next for episode two of ‘Pieces From Places’?
‘From Belgrade’ takes us closer to Favari and Salvito’s Verona base but originates from their time, circa December 2023, in the Serbian capital and at the Ikalto studios in Tbilisi. Closer to the clear songlines and brisk rhythms of the duo’s early work (check their 2017 debut Ólafsfjörður for a reference), the new track is a little gem. Salvito’s brushed timbres chatter while Favari builds an understated melody from a bed of harmonium tones, soundtracking a gradually waking city-scape. Conjured from a minimal combo of piano, percussion and DIY synths ‘From Belgrade’ is expansive but never too grand, a tune which comforts, all homely and companionable.
Tune in again towards the end of May to discover Passepartout Duo’s next destination…
Get your copy of ‘From Belgrade‘ and ‘From Taipei‘ from Passepartout Duo’s Bandcamp HERE
