1. Your new EP, Behind the Wall, has just been released. Can you tell us what inspired you during the creation of this project?
We had a feeling like the whole world is boiling, like we all feel that something needs to change globally and we have hit a wall as a species. That’s something we have felt for a long time now and it seemed to us like a lot of people feel that way. We are always positive and we try to bring that positivity to people through our music, we believe in a bright future that is expecting us “Behind the Wall”.
“Gloom’s Serenade” by Dystosyum is a solo piano piece that immediately captivates the listener with its elongated and emotion-laden tones. From the very first notes, the composer creates an enveloping atmosphere, transporting the listener on an intense and profound emotional journey.
One of the most distinctive features of this piece is the use of a tape recorder, which adds a unique and immersive dimension to the composition. The tape sound introduces an element of nostalgia and imperfection, amplifying the melancholic tone of the piece and making the emotions resonate even more vividly and palpably.
The piano notes, played with delicacy and precision, seem suspended in time, each rich with nuances and resonances. This stylistic choice gives the piece an ethereal quality, as if each note were a breath, a deep thought, or a distant memory. The slow and measured rhythm allows each sound to emerge with clarity, giving the listener space to savor every emotional nuance.
The tape recorder, with its subtle distortions and characteristic hiss, not only adds a fascinating sonic texture but also creates a sense of intimacy and authenticity. It is as if Dystosyum is inviting us into his inner world, sharing his deepest thoughts and feelings through music.
In “Gloom’s Serenade,” melancholy is never overwhelming but rather presents itself as a gentle reflection on the beauty and fragility of life. It demonstrates a mastery in the art of emotional composition, capable of touching the most intimate chords of the soul.
In summary, “Gloom’s Serenade” is a masterpiece of musical expression that skillfully combines technique and emotion. Dystosyum, with the skillful use of the piano and tape recorder, offers us a listening experience that is both melancholic and wonderfully immersive. A piece that you not only listen to but feel deeply.
“I AM” is the latest masterpiece by Portuguese composer and pianist Igor Alexandre Ferreira. This album represents an emotional and reflective journey that explores the depths of the human soul through a captivating combination of piano, strings, and sound design. Ferreira’s ability to create evocative and melancholic atmospheres, heavily influenced by neo-classical and contemporary classical music, is evident in every track of this work.
“Embrace” is a piece that represents the perfect union between Shere Fraser’s flute and Juliano’s piano, offering an immersive and transcendent musical experience. Both artists bring their rich experiences and sensitivities into the piece, creating a composition that is as evocative as it is enveloping.
Norwegian landscapes… …Arctic climate conditions… …an old barn… …a piano… …a handful of both ambient and electronic sounds… …a brand new album titled Fragile.
All around and in the hands of a woman and pianist-composer called Susanne Darre.
Guided by this very Nordic recipe, I shared an intriguing chat with her: let’s now savour her thoughts and feelings about her own work, personality and the new album.
Lise Jonsson is a Norwegian composer, pianist, and music educator known for her ability to convey deep emotions through her compositions. Her musical career began at an early age, playing the piano by ear at just seven years old and composing her first melodies at twelve. Since 2015, Jonsson has intensified her musical production as a form of therapy and self-expression, releasing music under four different monikers that highlight her compositional, pianistic, and creative skills. Her music reflects the richness of her academic experiences, her background as a music teacher, and her life experiences, drawing inspiration from the beauty of the Norwegian countryside and her walks in the woods with her dog.
The EP “Caronte a Venezia,” composed by pianist Alberto Marson and accordionist Luca Marzano, is a musical journey that invites listeners to explore the depths of the soul and the quest for inner healing. Consisting of four tracks—”Caronte a Venezia,” “Anima Smarrita,” “Psicostasia,” and “Rinascita”—this work represents a dreamlike experience and spiritual introspection.
“Pausé” is a piece that stands out for its ability to evoke deep emotions through a minimalist and delicate composition. Raphael Beaudon, known for his talent in creating evocative soundtracks, once again manages to transport the listener into a unique sound universe.
Beaudon’s music draws inspiration from various sources, including cinema and literature, as evidenced by his biography. Inspired by the book series of Maxime Chattam he created the album Maléfices and series of playlists for thriller reading, with over 10,000 followers, testify to his talent in crafting soundscapes that enrich the narrative experience.
“For You” is a solo piano piece by English composer Benjamin Cook, skillfully blending modern classical influences with the romantic elegance of Chopin. From the first chords, the piece evokes Chopin’s Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2, but with a distinctly personal touch.
In the ambient track titled “dandelion,” a collaboration between Ostel and Edoardo Gastaldi, the listener is invited to embark on a sonic journey that unfolds through the many layers of introspection. Available on Spotify, the track meanders through an ethereal and reflective soundscape, characterized by layers of sound that beckon a deep and personal exploration.
“dandelion” does not follow a linear narrative but opens up like a kaleidoscope of sensations and images, making each listen a unique and subjective experience. The notes intertwine delicately, creating an environment conducive to contemplation and meditation. The floating melodies and ambient sounds merge into a sound texture that, despite its apparent simplicity, manages to evoke an intense range of emotions.
Everything that is ‘produced’ is by all means a ‘product’, no matter whether it’s done on a large or small scale. Not very romantic as an idea when it comes to art, I know, yet it makes sense isn’t it?
As a musician I’ve been lucky enough to taste both the so-called major publishing houses and the smaller ones, which are pretty often defined as independent companies or labels.
According to my personal experience, I sense that this acknowledged independency relates to a “F**k the market, let’s do that!” kind of attitude, more or less. Maybe not that profitable, but still very cool.
“La Valse Du Capitaine” is a solo piano piece that perfectly encapsulates the musical poetry and style of Sophie Riviere, a pianist and composer from the island of Noirmoutier in France. Her music is deeply influenced by the maritime world, having spent her childhood surrounded by sea stories told by her father, a long-distance merchant marine captain and music enthusiast. This composition embodies the fusion of neoclassicism and minimalism, transporting the listener on a nostalgic journey through childhood memories and the natural beauty of the island.
“Endless” is a piano piece composed and performed by Daniela Spadini, a talented Italian pianist with a strong classical background. Her passion for the piano began at a young age, and her career has been marked by a profound connection with her teacher, whose untimely death left a lasting impact on her life and musical journey.
“Primi canti” is a captivating piece by the talented Italian pianist and composer Davide Sammarchi, born in 1997 in a small town near Siena. This piece is a perfect example of his unique style, which harmoniously blends elements of classical music with contemporary influences, creating a sound experience that is both nostalgic and innovative.
Susanne Darre: A Norwegian Talent in Modern Classical and Ambient Music
Susanne Darre is a Norwegian composer and pianist specializing in modern classical and ambient music. Her delicate and emotive piano melodies are created in an old wooden barn situated in the heart of Arctic Norway, an environment that conveys both peace and the majesty of the surrounding nature.
As 2024 faces a new blooming spring, so does this Magazine. We, Edoardo Gastaldi and Davide Fasiello, would like to celebrate our takeover as owners of the Modern Classical Music Blog by presenting our new piano composition, written in collaboration with Fabrizio Brugnera: “Adagio in D Minor”. The piece is aimed at navigating the interplay between classical and modern classical genres, driving the listener in a constant balance between technical structure and immersive feelings.
