On December 21st I witnessed an
extraordinary event, in a fascinating scenario, in the most engaging time of
the year, this to say how the basic ingredients for creating something to
remember were all present.
The name of the event was as
follows:
“2° ART IN PROGRESS EVENT TOUR in memoria di GREG LAKE“
... ideal continuation of what
was started by Paola Tagliaferro in Zoagli, in 2017, in total agreement with
the Patron Regina Lake.
At the second Event Regina was accompanied by her Friend Elinor Emerson,
Mrs. Keith Emerson and her young Family: Ethan Emerson, grandson of Keith and Aaron, son of Keith and father of
Ethan, performed at this Event.
What I will try to do will not be
the usual commentary at a concert, with the idea of unravelling technical
aspects, but I will limit myself to the role of mere chronicler, helped by
video clips and some photographs captured by photographer Angelo Ciani. What I
would like to highlight in the story is the atmosphere in which a high-profile
cultural event took place, varied, shared, the maximum expression of successful
teamwork.
Of course, Didi Pasini Ciriani,
passionate about ELP, on the occasion of deus ex machina and engine of
planning, could have eliminated the rain... maybe let the sun shine and allow a
visit to the Venetian and Napoleonic fortifications of the "starry
city", but thinking about it also the weather conditions were part of the
project... because Even Christmas requires a suitable profile!
I quoted Didi who, in
collaboration with the City of Palmanova, the Music Academy and OWL Records,
has made possible moments that are unlikely to be forgotten by those present,
but in the course of the article I will try to mention all those who
contributed, names not necessarily related to the world of music, but
fundamental to the final outcome.
The first official act of the day
included the presentation in Common of a newly released book, "Emotion,
Love & Power - The Epic of Emerson, Lake & Palmer" (Edition
Chinaski), written by Fabio Rossi. Fabio is Roman, and took advantage of the
trip to accumulate multiple presentations and meeting points, all with
considerable success.
A bit of excitement in proposing
to an audience that included the Lake/Emerson families in the front row, but
the question/answer game, interspersed with the English translation of
Alexandra Siminica, worked and was effective.
For those who want to deepen and
understand in detail Rossi's thinking, I refer to our interview a month ago:
A brief snippet of the
presentation:
Following a very interesting
meeting called:
"Nothing dies, everything is
transformed" - The wood supply chain of Friuli Venezia Giulia
From the destruction of forests
to the rebirth of wood in new works.
In front of an audience that
gradually increased their interest, Emanuele Bonora - representative of forest
councillor Friuli Venezia Giulia - exposed and
the experiences of Dr. "lumberjack" Agostino Michielin - for
of an interesting parallel between the wood of its woods and the vinyl -, the
chef Stefano Basello - who first in words and later with the facts showed his
brilliant intuition to revive the woods destroyed by last October's bad weather
in the carnia and Sappada area, create loaves of bread from the fir bark - and
Walter Buiatti - an wood entrepreneur in a company that is more than a hundred
years old (BUIATTI) - who showed off his handcrafted skills by building a
semi-acoustic guitar made from a unique piece of wood, an instrument given to
an enthusiastic Paola Tagliaferro. Even of this "delivery", and a
consequent test, there are video traces:
Let's skip the libations and the
afternoon personal acts and move directly to the fantastic Teatro Modena, which
will eventually be packed.
There is excitement in the air
and the first to take the stage for his Steinway & Sons grand piano concert
will be young Ethan Emerson.
I would like to pause for a
moment on the piano, because I had the opportunity to meet a great
professional, which I will talk about in a very short time.
In the afternoon visit to the
theatre I had been struck by a "sir" who, regardless of the contour,
diligently operated on the piano, technical tricks that brought me back to the
considerations of Gianni Nocenzi - big italian pianist - picked up in August,
related to the difficulty that a pianist faces when he finds himself on stage
with an instrument that has not received adequate maintenance after transport.
This is certainly not the case with Lorenzo Cerneaz, who I found by my side
during the dinner, and which I will soon question properly!
The show begins and, with the
help of translator Silvia Rota, Regina Lake and Elinor Emerson go on stage,
presented by Paola Tagliaferro, accompanied by Didy Pasini and the Major of
Palmanova, Francesco Martines, already present at the event in the Morning.
And here comes the moment of
Ethan Emerson who looks very excited, as it should be.
Here's the tracklist for his
performance...
Ethan delights the audience with his talent, dedicating to his
grandfather and grandmother some specific episodes, with a modus operandi of
concert pianist, composed and elegant.
For him too I propose video pills, so that every reader can form his own
opinion.
My consideration, also presented
on stage, is that it is a real pleasure to see a young man focused on such a
particular music, and the hope is that passion and talent - elements certainly
fundamental, which Ethan possesses - are accompanied over time by a good dose
of luck and not too much pressure that a high profile surname could generate.
After Ethan the surprise... Aaron Emerson takes the stage for
a song that is a remake of "Fanfare for the Common Man". Cute initial
curtain for an Aaron who is comfortable in front of the audience, and also this
performance is also available for viewing:
Aaron remembers Keith in his
gaze, and as his wise notes spread in the air, thought flies over what has been
and what lucky people like me have had the opportunity to live in the field of
music.
Second part of the evening
dedicated to the music of Paola Tagliaferro and La Compagnia dell’ES, an
ensemble to which was added on the occasion the great indigenous percussionist
Umberto Trombetta "Gandhi". The rest of the musicians are
well-established: Pier Gonella on guitar, Giulia Ermirio on viola, Andrea
Zanzottera on piano and Enten Hitti (Gino Ape and Pierangelo Pandiscia) in oboe
and lute.
I would call it an extraordinary
band, able to enter every possible score and genre which, as always, provided
the best musical carpet for the particular art of Paola Tagliaferro.
Their set included two different
programs, the first dedicated to part of the album "fabulae", and the
second focused on the compositional figure of Greg Lake, so on his ballads.
The
sequence of songs...
Two words about the project of Paola Tagliaferro, originator of a dynamic project consisting of solid foundations but able to welcome the arrival of
new artists able to make available first-rate skills, putting their own, of
course, but following the script drawn in every detail by Paola, true creator
of an idea of music that seems difficult to insert into an officially
recognized genre. Not only technique and ideas, but the proposition of musical
plots that, grasping fragments of disparate cultures, surpasses the traditional
concept of music, transforming art into food by mind and soul.
A song typically related to
Christmas could not be missed, and come up on stage Ethan who, together with
Paola & friends performed "I Believe in Father Christmas", that completes the
Circle perfectly.
Difficult to describe in so many words a similar experience, which transcends music, which becomes a vehicle to
foster and increase positive human relationships, and the serenity was palpable
among the souls present.
A great
teamwork delivers results because of full cooperation and because of the well
known names that direct from behind the scenes. I would like to mention them
here , alongside the ones I have already credited.
Another photographer, Ricky
Modena, played an important role... The Head of Culture of the City of
Palmanova Gabriella Del Frate, The Head of Communication of the Palmanova
Municipality, Massimiliano Cao... and as for graphics and posters, the
Legatoria Ciani and Ivan Olivo.
A prelude to a dream Christmas!
