Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Giovanni Di Domenico - Musica Per Insiemi (April 2021)

If it were possible to relate images with Giovanni Di Domenico's music, the most plausible would be those of forms painted with perfect balance and purity. Absolutely versatile and eclectic, the Italian composer has long accustomed us to sounds full of ecstatic tension, but pervaded with a refined and cyclical harmony of the parts. Musica Per Insiemi is the result of three recordings with three different ensembles, two more varied in terms of orchestral tones, one for organ only and female voices. In their different physiognomy, the tracks retain a common denominator of beauty. Di Domenico has firmly established the frame of reference in his compositions, the spine of ethereal movements of the piano and fender rhodes.

The mood of the other instruments are attached by subtle stratifications, like a river from which its tributaries wind. In this way, the sound matter advances with the solemn calm and brilliance of the individual fragments. The variety of influences remains in the perennial expectation of minimalist whiteness, of contemporary arias with a Nordic flavor or scents of cosmic drones, but always results in a personal and mysterious overview.

1. Kyu-u-ri 15:22
2. Go-Bo 17:03
3. Slides 09:33

All music composed by Giovanni Di Domenico.

Mixing by Giovanni Di Domenico at The Nest Cellar, Brussels.
Master & lacquer cut by Frederic Alstadt at Angtrom Mastering, Brussels.

Kyu-u-ri was commissioned by Bruno Letort for Ars Musica Festival 2018 and premiered at BOZAR (Brussels) in November 2018.

Played by Giovanni Di Domenico (Fender Rhodes & electronics) and Ensemble Musiques Nouvelles: Jean Paul Dessy (conductor), Berten D’Hollander (alto flute), Charles Michiels (clarinet), Adrien Lambinet (trombone), André Ristic (piano), Pierre Quiriny (vibraphone/crotales), Hughes Kolp (electric guitar), Claire Bourdet (1st violin), Laurent Hoque (2nd violin), Karel Koninx (viola), Jean-Pol Zanutel (cello).
Recorded by Jarek Frankowski.

Go-bo was recorded by Giovanni Di Domenico during a residency at Theatre 140, Brussels, in April 2018.

Is played by: Ananta Roosens (viola stringed violin), Benoît Leseure (violin), Jean Philippe Feiss (cello), Manolo Cabras (double bass) and Giovanni Di Domenico (piano, Fender Rhodes, electronics).

Slides was also recorded by Giovanni Di Domenico during the same residency at Theatre 140, Brussels, in April 2018.

Is played by Giovanni Di Domenico (organs) and Patshiva CIE (voices): Charlotte Couturier, Dorothée Dassy, Céline De Vos, Dounia Depoorter, Manuela de Tervarent, Amélie Dieudonné, Bérengère Dupuis, Mathilde Henkinbrant, Roxane Lefebvre, Virginie Pierre, Fatou Traoré.