AWEN
AWEN is a Gaelic word meaning "inspiration", and it gives its name to the trio born within the Permanent Musical Research Laboratories—a creative space led by pianist and composer Stefano Battaglia, within the walls of Siena Jazz University.
It was here that Natalia Rogantini and Giacomo Zanus, crossed paths and began a shared journey alongside Battaglia—one that has gradually evolved into a cohesive and enduring artistic project.
Initially immersed in the realm of radical free improvisation, the trio’s path soon turned toward a deeper investigation—musical, sociocultural, and identity-driven—of one central, resonant question: the root.
Where do we come from? What do we truly feel connected to?
What are we carrying forward, consciously or not?
Their musical research was initially ignited by a raw and instinctive fascination with Celtic culture. Over time, it matured into a focused exploration of ancient traditional songs, work chants, and ballads—rearranged with sensitivity and intention. These songs touch on pagan beliefs, love’s many sorrows, nature’s contemplation, and the profound, symbiotic relationship between human beings and the natural world—a connection that speaks of belonging as much as it does of mystery.
Linguistic studies support this artistic intuition, revealing that many words in the Lombard dialects trace their origins to Celtic roots, sharing phonetic and sonic affinities. Echoes of this cultural layer remain visible even today, in the rock engravings scattered across Northern Italy, including in the native land of the trio’s singer—Valchiavenna.
NATALIA ROGANTINI - voice
STEFANO BATTAGLIA - piano, percussions
GIACOMO ZANUS - el. guitar, classical guitar, electronics
Available on CD, download and streaming