Italian composer and pianist Federico Albanese releases another evocative and highly original album with Blackbirds And The Sun Of October.
The famed minimalist composer of this century, Federico Albanese, had an interesting and diverse musical education. At the age of two, he exhibited a talent for music, and his mother took him to La Scala operatic performances every weekend. His father, on the other hand, was a big fan of jazz, progressive rock and experimental avant-garde musicians. Federico grew up loving opera as well as Keith Jarrett, Miles Davis, and Brian Eno. In addition he loved the poetry of Lord Byron and T.E. Eliot. He has also cited his passion for the music of rock bands such as Television and Traffic.
He worked in film for several years and played in various bands, developing collaborative skills and the visual sense required to compose film scores. He studied the music of Nino Rota and the albums of Brian Eno. In 2014, his debut album The Houseboat and The Moon was released to wide acclaim as “one of the most beautiful modern classical albums ever made”. High praise, indeed, though Albanese himself claims his 2018 album By The Deep Sea is the one closest to his heart. His newest release, Blackbirds And The Sun In October, may change that. It is a truly lovely record that new listeners and regular listeners will embrace for its depth of feeling and evocative possibilities.
The music of Albanese is deeply contemplative, reflective, quietly orchestrated at times, and the compositions are often brief. The overall mood is melancholy, yet saturated with the possibility of hope. The title piece, “Blackbirds and the Sun in October” is driven by a relentless undercurrent and a wind-swept swirl that provides an interesting counterpoint to the balance of the album. That said, any one of these compositions may soon find themselves chosen to accompany visual images. His work is highly suited both as accompaniment and as inspiration for film creators. Standout tracks, in addition to the title piece, include “A Story Yet To Be Told”, “The Prince and The Emperor”, and “Song For The Village”.
Highly recommended for classical and crossover fans alike, this is a recording sure to encourage repeated auditions for its beauty and complexity.
