Michael Mantler - Sempre Notte - Live Songs (2024)

Michael Mantler’s *Live Songs* project emerged from a mix of past reflections and new collaborations. Initially, Mantler had no intentions to create new compositions after completing *CODA*, an album revisiting and reshaping his previous works. However, bass clarinetist Gareth Davis persistently encouraged him to explore a new project involving voices, which led Mantler to rework older material with fresh perspectives.

He revisited texts by Samuel Beckett, Ernst Meister, Giuseppe Ungaretti, Harold Pinter, and some of his own writings, particularly focusing on themes of war and the human condition. The project first premiered with a large ensemble in the Czech Republic before Mantler decided to reduce the setup, creating a more intimate and flexible ensemble.

Key contributors include long-time collaborators like John Greaves (vocals), guitarist Bjarne Roupé, pianist David Helbock, and Davis himself on bass clarinet. The result is a collection of reimagined songs blending contemporary music, jazz influences, and rich vocal arrangements, demonstrating Mantler’s continued evolution through reinterpretation rather than new creation.

THE NEW SONGS ENSEMBLE

Michael Mantler (trumpet)
Gareth Davis (bass clarinet)
Bjarne Roupé (guitar)
David Helbock (piano)

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Bernie Mallinger (violin)
Igmar Jenner (violin)
Cynthia Liao (viola)
Sophie Abraham (cello)

Tracklist:
1-1 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - Sempre Notte [1:44]
1-2 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - Intolerance [1:32]
1-3 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - War [2:31]
1-4 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - Business [2:31]
1-5 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - What Else To Say [2:43]
1-6 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - PSS [1:52]
1-7 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - Darker Than The Light [4:46]
1-8 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - Speechless [3:36]
1-9 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - Eterno - Stasera - Girovago [5:40]
1-10 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - L'Illuminata Rugiada [3:01]
1-11 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - Vanità [3:07]
1-12 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - Senza Fiato [3:22]
1-13 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - Non Gridate Più [3:20]
1-14 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - For Instance [2:03]
1-15 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - When I Run [2:02]
1-16 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - What's Left To Say [2:50]
1-17 Michael Mantler, John Greaves, Annie Barbazza, The New Songs Ensemble - Understanding [4:19]