Louis Sclavis, Benjamin Moussay - Unfolding (from the new album on ECM Records)

Louis Sclavis, Benjamin Moussay - Unfolding (title track from the new album)

Louis Sclavis: clarinet, bass clarinet
Benjamin Moussay: piano

ECM 2831

This perfectly harmonising duo focuses on strong contrasts and thrives on empathy and intense exchanges. – Deutschlandfunk

Having previously joined forces on several Louis Sclavis recordings for ECM, including the clarinettist’s last album Characters On A Wall, in recent years Sclavis and pianist Benjamin Moussay increasingly focused on their two-way communication, playing expansive and well-received concerts throughout Europe. Now, in a programme of originals – two-thirds from the pianist’s pen, the remaining third by the clarinettist – the French duo dreams up a world of chamber conversations that juxtaposes lyrical contemplation with whimsical inventiveness in a joyous, concentrated collaboration. Thoughtfully, the duo envelopes delicate themes in warm improvisations that never rush, but patiently explore the written material with rare creativity and in fluid dialogues. Recorded at Studios La Buissonne, Southern France in March 2024, Unfolding was produced by Manfred Eicher.

[benderocks]

Nice.

BTW, the Louis Sclavis and Studios La Buissonne relationship has been going on for 30 years now, so he's in well-known sonic territory there.