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01. V. 06:05
02. Q nose? 05:00
03. Akoka 05:58
04. Interlude for Pauline 03:11
05. Pattern-esi 02:41
06. OnPianoPhase 07:18
07. Zaratan 05:28
08. Sì, mi chiamano Mimì 02:46
09. The Days of wine and roses 03:35
10. Little Rooms 05:34
11. Fluctuating Melodic 04:20
Total Time 52:02
Video
Credits
Music by Marcello Abate, Federico Pierantoni (5), Giacomo Puccini (8), Henry Mancini (9)
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Michele Bonifati and Matteo Pontegavelli at the Fieno Recording Studio in Spilamberto (MO) on August 2025
Graphics and layout by Mutteo Pin
Liner notes by Marcello Abate
Produced by Marcello Abate
Released in October 2026 by Aut Records
Description
Zugzwang is a German word composed of Zug, meaning “move” or “movement,” and Zwang, meaning “compulsion.” In chess, it describes a situation in which a player is forced to make a move even though every possible move leads towards defeat. Standing still is not an option: one must choose, take risks, and move forward. And it is precisely that movement that can open up an unexpected path, turning a potential defeat into success.
This album was born out of that same tension: the need to keep moving, even in the face of uncertainty, allowing each decision to reshape the path ahead. The pieces took shape slowly, through reconsiderations, detours, and moments of doubt, eventually finding forms that were often quite different from those originally imagined.
It was also a collective journey, made possible by the invaluable contributions of Federico, Alessandro, and Camilla. Their attentive listening, ideas, and sensitivity enriched and transformed these compositions, helping them reach a destination we might never have found on our own.
Each piece thus bears the mark of a risk taken, an encounter, and a choice that ultimately changed the game.
