Reinventions

The 'Re-inventions' heard on this captivating recording comprise the last dream project of the Italian bassist/composer Stefano Scodanibbio (1956-2012). Performed by Quartetto Prometeo, they are new arrangements for string quartet of three Contrapunctus (I, IV and V) from Bach's The Art of Fugue, plus a group of popular Mexican songs and four Spanish guitar pieces by Tarrega, Llobet, Aguado and Sor, brought into a compelling unity.

"What is intriguing about these arrangements is that they are indeed 'Re-inventions' as Stefano manages to impinge his own personal style of writing, in harmonics, so that they are unmistakably the work of his hand" (Irvine Arditti in the liner notes). Scodanibbio's writing for strings was informed by his extraordinary prowess as a player, a virtuoso bassist, interpreter, improviser and a composer whose own work was beyond the "traditional" avant-garde.

Until his untimely death, Scodanibbio was one of the truly great double bassists creating new colours and techniques in dozens of works written for him by composers such as Nono, Scelsi, Bussotti, Donatoni, Ferneyhough, Globokar, Sciarrino and Xenakis, but his own music - he composed more than 50 pieces, principally for strings - lives on. Following his transcription for double bass of Berio's solo cello Sequenza XIVb in 2004, he began to make versions of other composers' music, ranging from Monteverdi to Terry Riley and all the music here.

Personnel: Giulio Rovighi, Aldo Campagnari, Massimo Piva (viola), Francesco Dillon (cello)