It is fitting that composer and pianist Fabrizio Paterlini was born and lives in the ancient northern Italian city of Mantua. A romantic and historically significant centre of musical and artistic excellence, the city’s elegance and cultural depth permeate Paterlini’s exquisite original solo piano compositions. Yet despite Mantua’s unavoidable influence in informing the composer’s work, his cinematic music is far from localized, or even recognizably Italian, instead tapping directly into universal human emotions.
Fabrizio Paterlini is not signed to a major label. In fact, he’s not signed to any label at all (well, he releases on his very own Memory Recordings) and has built up his entire global following by the only thing that speaks to all his fans – his music. In 2019, this Italian composer and pianist has sold out nearly all of his concerts across Turkey, Russia, Germany, and Spain.
His genuine kinship, smile and soul are reflected in the music, across the gentle thirteen pieces of this album, which was originally composed as having two sides of a record: “one side being the ‘Life’, which brings more complex and cinematic compositions in which piano blends together with strings and electronics; and the other one, ‘Blood’, which brings a more intimate take on Fabrizio’s piano solo music.”
The Yamaha C7 grand piano is felted once again, and so its large and splendid sound becomes a bit majestic, elegant and fine. Its muted chords and sparkling melodies retell a story compiled over the last couple of years, some memories while touring, others back in his home studio, always recalling, reflecting, and reassuring that we are not alone in our consuming thoughts. And when I listen to his music, I know that Paterlini shares his life, his blood, and yet another thing, a concept understood when those two words are compound, but more importantly expressed through music in the Paterlini way. LifeBlood is out now, on streaming platforms, compact disc, and limited edition 180g black vinyl. Highly recommended for fans of contemporary, insight, and present classical sound.
