Having recently released the stunning album 'Dual', Pietro once again demonstrated his talent as a pianist and a composer. Having had an illustrious career which has seen him release albums with the likes of BMG, tour major venues across Europe and win a number of awards, Pietro's move into contemporary classical with more of an experimental edge is interesting move and one that got us interested in what his influences and favourite music is. We caught up Pietro to chat about his 5 of his favourite songs:
Max Richter in ‘Mercy’ rediscovers the lyricism of the violin and the depth of a classical harmonic chords sequence. The resulting atmosphere is unique, and Mercy can be listened in many different situations without loosing its beauty.
A passage of hope, but also of suffering and intense happiness at the same time, which touches us deeply. A very cinematic descriptive music even if minimalist in its eternal structure of an accompanied melody.
Olafur Arnalds with ‘Near Light’ inaugurates a new way of making contemporary classical music and at the same time easy listening ones. Strings blend with synth and felted upright piano in a kaleidoscope of velvety sound that has influenced many composers today. Near Light was a cornerstone of the new neoclassical sound.
Vikingur Olafsson manages to reinterpret a Bach organ sonata as if it were a contemporary piece. The Sonata is musically amazing. Rich and simple at the same time.
Musical time is redefined. The calm incipit of the rhythm engages the mind in a daydream of an unsettling modernity.
‘A Sparrow Alighted Upon’ shows the arcs reinterpreted in a narrative way. Johannson, who unfortunately is no longer with us, impressed me with his ability to minimize the musical idea.
The use of a vibraphone and a simple synth pad adds thickness to the enveloping sound of the strings. A cinematic minimalism that we only find in Zimmer.
In ‘Some’ by Nils Frahm I have found again the sense of a minimalist harmonic progression in a jazz context. The deep piano sound is engaging. Time seems to stop flowing as if it were frozen. ‘Some’ is a prototype of emotional listening that takes me back to the origins of the sense of harmony.
Listen to Pietro's stunning new album 'Dual' below:
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