Paolo Fresu on trumpet, Richard Galliano on accordion and Jan Lundgren on piano gathered once again to present a compilation of their work spanning 20 years and 4 albums. Bringing in different backgrounds and musical styles, they created a shared mare nostrum or “our sea” of jazz.
This Friday evening was a flawless backdrop for a slow meditated evening: late September winds, a calm city before nightlife awoke and an event that drew enough music lovers to fill out Konserthuset’s audience.
In short, I would describe Mare Nostrum’s concert as a perfect match for the romantic lovers of life. No need to come with a date, but a romantic personality is a must. Whether you want it or not, since the very first song, you start feeling the seaside relaxation, encouraging you to leave your worries behind and dive into the music. Captivating with its honesty and calming improvisation, your mind starts wandering off into the pleasant memories of last summer.
For a modern ear not very fond of jazz, their music might remind of the classic Spotify French lo-fi beats playlist. However, quite soon it’s clear that it’s much more than synthesised loops – it’s carefully crafted tunes that reach for the beauty of the day.
Three experienced maestros lightheartedly take in everyday tragedies and monumental sorrows without remorse, expressing them through their notes. Each piece has this bittersweet ending, when you don’t really know if it’s a story with a happy ending or not. But you are absolutely sure it’s a story full of ups and downs that actually meant something. Even the saddest song ends on a high note, giving us a little bit of hope because, just like our memory, we choose to remember the good parts and bury the bad ones deep inside.
Between songs, the artists highlighted each other’s work and introduced the compositions they cherish. Each one represents the stories of their lives: famous writers, past lovers, familiar streets where your children went to school, late nights in favourite cities and best friends never forgotten. Pavese, Giselle, Lullaby for Two and Si Dolce È Il Tormento really stood out to me in their musical kaleidoscope.
By getting personal with their listeners, they invited us to open up in return. Looking around the audience, I got the feeling that, no matter the age, profession, social status and mood of the day, everyone wants to experience beauty, even though bills, daycare and work to-do list are on our mind more often than not. At the end of the day, not that many moments feel truly special. But what Mare Nostrum’s music achieved is to transport their listeners into the space of nostalgic reflections mixed with new beginnings: becoming a parent or a grandparent, starting a new hobby, ending an old relationship – milestones that tell more about us than our daily tasks and worries ever could.
Even if you couldn’t attend this concert, check out Konserthuset’s programme for this season and connect with the music.
Photo © Steven Haberland
