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SUITE
PATAGONIA |
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Music
by Bruno Sanfilippo
Recorded & mixed at Osiris
Studio,
Buenos Aires, February 2000 |
Sayhueque
Giant Patagon
Terra Incognita
Magallanes
Fuegia & Jemmy
Suite Patagonia
The Andes |
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| CD
released by ad21music
ad108 |
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this album from: |
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iTunes
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| COVER
ART > 24 pages full color booklet |
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| ((
LISTEN
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| BUY
CD [last copìes] |
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Assistant
Engineers: J.M. Bordiga & Fito Carlomagno
Graphic design & photography: Gastón Ruíz
Mastered: Javier Cosentino [Cosentino studio]
Natalia
Chiambaretta: Violin
Paulo Carri: Quenas, Quenachos, Trutruca*, Pifilca*
Bruno Sanfilippo: keyboards, synthesizer
programming and samplers, kultrum* chascas* |
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Instruments Mapuche indians culture |
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'Dedicated
to the incredible histories that harboured the lands of the Patagonia.
The Cacique Sayhueque, the Patagonian Giant's myth, the admiration
of the colonists before an unknown fauna, the contact between the
native ones and Magellan's men, curious histories that touch with
the magic and the fantasy, full with myths fed by old conquerors,
scanners and adventurers.
The colourful autochthonous instrumentation with aboriginal songs,
sounds of the southern fauna, the European vision of a time, of a
place, of numberless histories and legends'
Bruno, Argentina 2000. |
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| REVIEWS |
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by
Alberto Nucci - Rivista ARLEQUINS - Italia 2003
I
47 minuti di musica strumentale, essenzialmente tastieristica, di
questo disco possono compiacere vivamente coloro che amano le atmosfere
ampie e rilassanti. La musica delle 7 tracce qui presenti rendono
perfettamente l'immagine di ciò che l'artista prova nella descrizione
della terra cui fa riferimento il titolo. Bruno Sanfilippo, musicista
di Barcellona, registra il suo disco a Buenos Aires, forse proprio
per cogliere meglio l'ispirazione per i paesaggi descritti musicalmente.
Una musica che talvolta pare virare verso atmosfere nordiche ma che
in prevalenza ha colori caldi ed elegiaci. Sarà che sono un
appassionato e che al momento di scrivere sono appena stato al cinema,
ma vedrei benissimo questo disco come possibile colonna sonora del
Signore degli Anelli. "Suite Patagonia" è comunque
ben difficile da descrivere a parole: si può parlare di somiglianze
con lavori di Vangelis o Mike Oldfield, ma si tratta di accostamenti
atti solo a far comprendere su quali territori ci si muove. Perfino
nei momenti più quieti, non si può parlare proprio di
musica ambient o new age; si tratta di musica (non parlerei comunque
di rock!) sinfonica, certamente difficile all'ascolto, non immediata
nell'approccio, ma comunque affascinante e descrittiva (questo a confermare
la mia voglia di vederla come colonna sonora), mai stancante nonostante
i suoi connotati non certo d'impatto. (AN)
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by
Alfonso Algora - PROGVISIONS- Spain 2003
is argentinian composer with italian roots and who currently
lives in Barcelona, releases a complex and risky conceptual album
about the history of Patagonia, one of the most magical places in
Argentina, since it was discovered. The seven instrumental tracks
of this album tell seven legends and stories played by Bruno Sanfilippo
(keyboards, programming, sythns, samplers, kultrum y chascas), Natalia
Chiambaretta (Violin) and Paulo Carri (Quenas, quenachos, trutruca,
pifilca). I´m sorry I can´t write further details about
these instruments... the only thing I know is that they´re
ancient instruments of Mapuche (Patagonia´s indians)
The
sound of Suite Patagonia reminds me of soundtracks with some (not
many, don´t worry) new-age sounds. In any case it´s
a boring album. But the work has been conceived as an unity, so
it´s not a collection of seven tracks. On the other hand the
album can be enjoyed at its best if you listen to it carefully.
If you read the booklet that contains all kind of information and
graphics about Patagonia while you´re listening to the music,
you´ll enjoy the album while you learn more about that culture.
You
won´t find virtuosity of amazing instrumental passages in
Suite Patagonia... in fact this is a very interesting almost-orchestral
album and a soundtrack that will transport the listener to ancient
times and places. I miss some energy and powerful moments so the
album would have been more varied, but that´s my personal
point of view.
I haven´t
listened to the rest of Sanfilippo´s discography but I think
that all the albums will be great if he recreates images as he does
in Suite Patagonia. Lovers of Oldfield or Phillip Glass sounds,
and fans of the most ethereal symphonic rock will enjoy this album. |
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by
Bill Binkelman - WIND and WIRE- USA 2002
Is
there such a thing as a concept album without a true definable musical
concept, instead being borne out of a true story told through music?
If so, Suite Patagonia, from keyboard player Bruno Sanfilippo (who
hails from Barcelona) is it. This is a grand "tale", all
the more remarkable when one reads the extensive (pages and pages
of them, in fact) liner notes which recount the history of the land
of Patagonia (the land at the far southeastern tip of South America,
near the Straits of Magellan), starting with its discovery by the
explorer Magellan (here written as Magallanes). I will admit to
being more-or-less ignorant of the "real story" behind
this chapter of history (and subsequent ones involving the Patagonians
and the colonists). After reading the liner notes, I certainly want
to know more and my curiosity is reinforced and encouraged by the
highly dramatic and wonderful music written and performed by Bruno
Sanfilippo. Using what sounds like a large arsenal of synths and
samplers
(along with a few authentic - for that part of the world - instruments,
e.g. kultrum, chaschas), Sanfilippo has crafted a sweeping neo-orchestral
recording that offers up stirring themes, forlorn melodies, and
both stately and dramatic rhythms. Musically, some may hear echoes
of Richard Burmer, circa his brilliant Bahkti Point-era. But the
music on Suite Patagonia is less ' new age ' by far. It's much more
along the lines of soundtrack music, especially on tracks like the
opening "Sayhueque," (church-like bells, pounding timpani,
and bass-strings may bring to mind Morricone's great soundtrack
for The Mission).
Other
selections include the somewhat otherworldly "Giant Patagon"
(featuring great "clipped" synth chorus work and lush
strings) as well as delicate flute-like samples counterpointed by
thundering drums and plucked strings. "Terra Incognita"
features a variety of exotic synths but used in a traditional manner
so that the music is never too bizarre or overtly "electronic."
A harpsichord-like keyboard carries the melodic refrain and hand-chimes
bring to mind the Burmer comparison I mentioned earlier. Despite
the title (which can be translated as "unknown land"),
the track is not dark or scary, instead concentrating on a sense
of exploration and discovery.
Even
during the few parts of the album when the mood quiets down, I'd
never call this ambient music. And it's definitely not new age music.
I think the best way to define Suite Patagonia is as I wrote above:
it's a musical "tale" with distinct chapters and stories,
encompassing a wide variety of moods and emotions. "Magallenes"
can be heard as haunting (owing to snaky synth work) despite its
pounding percussion.
The title track is almost overture-like, with a largely orchestral
sound to it as it moves through eight minutes of various musical
motifs.
The closing cut, "The Andes," is probably the closest
to "new age music" owing to a more gentle tone and the
use of synths that sound less
like traditional instruments.
Admittedly,
Suite Patagonia is probably not an album, upon one's first listening,
whose craftsmanship or artistic worth is wholly appreciated (such
was the case with me, at least). The music is never "easy"
to listen to the way that new age music usually is and it's not
the least bit unobtrusive (in the way that ambient music is). Instead,
I keep coming back to the comparison to a soundtrack.
In fact, owing to the great liner notes and the strong visual component
of the music, I sure wish someone would "film" this album.
The historical "story" is amazing (I wish space permitted
me to recount it here) and the music, with its dramatic themes,
exciting melodies, forceful percussion, and classically romantic
motifs, would merit a movie filled with heroism, tragedy, hope,
loss, and redemption.
Until
the movie is made, though, Suite Patagonia will have to do for those
with imagination enough to "see it" in their mind's eye. |
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by
Thierry Sportouche - ACIDDRAGON Magazine # 3 - 2002
France
This
is certainly the best Symphonic Prog album I ever heard since long
!
Only instrumental, with a rich instrumentation, a superb mix, splendid
atmospheres, there are no gaps in this disc.
Bruno Sanfilippo is the Argentinean Mike Oldfield ! With a difference:
he plays keyboard.
But the attitude (lyrical, symphonic, folk influenced) is the same.
Although he (adn his friends) uses a lot of local instruments (among
which various flutes and pipes), this never sounds "folklore"
music but rich Progressive Rock.
In the way of the Los Jaivas but more experimental, innovative and
symphonic. A treat ! I wonder how were the first three albums by this
guy.
The booklet is interesting too since it tells several stories which
happened in Patagonia a far, hidden and then mysterious country.
An intelligent and personal concept album ! |
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by
Ariadna Martin - Amazing Sounds #99 -
2001 Spain
Bruno
Sanfilippo shapes in music the legends and the European discovery
of Patagonia in this wonderful Suite with ethnic airs weaving a colorful
tapestry with the use of keyboards, synthesizers, samplers, and native
instruments, resulting into a musical epic where the native viewpoints
and the adventure of Magallanes and other conquerors or explorers,
the European "civilizing" zeal and the indigenous traditions
paint a musical homage to these lands.
The seven themes in the CD reflect the history of the country, together
with a bilingual leaflet (Spanish and English) explaining the history
of the conquerors, Magellan's voyage, the myths and traditions of
the natives, and will no doubt appeal to the followers of New Instrumental
Music with ethnic touches. |
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by
Rafa
Dorado- Revista MARGEN #22 2001 España
'Desde
el fin del Mundo"
Suite
Patagonia es la obra cumbre de éste compositor argentino
afincado en España.
A pesar de las cualidades innatas de los tres trabajos anteriores;
"Sons of the Light", "The New Kingdom" y "Solemnis",
no hay en ellos la ambición de ésta publicación
reciente.
Mientras pervive la suavidad de formas y el arsenal melódico,
se da cabida de modo más protagonista a sonidos étnicos
prehispánicos encuadrado todo ello en un formato orquestal
de arreglos puntillosos puramente sinfónicos.
Tal variedad instrumental y estilística suena homogénea,
aventurándose en un estilo puramente incidental y cinematográfico.
Suite
Patagonia entre otras muchas virtudes, consigue una perfección
insólita en el uso de la electrónica.
Las orquestaciones son perfectas en su ejecución, y su tímbrica
mantiene esa "lejanía" tonal que permiten los sintetizadores.
Al
preguntarle qué hiciera si dispusiese de una o orquesta sinfónica
el autor nos dice:
"La verdad es que haría un álbum con mucho placer,
pero no descartaría el uso de la electrónoca, todo
depende de lo que quieres "decir".
También haría un compilado en versiones acústicas
tomando piezas puntuales de cada uno de mis trabajos anteriores,
sobre todo de
"The New Kingdom" y de "Solemnis".
No sé como sigue la historia, pero estoy reestructurando
mi estudio en Barcelona para seguir componiendo.
"Estoy trabajando desde hace unos años algunas piezas
de carácter atmpsférico, es probable que publique
algo de ello, pero ante todo hay que ver qué sucede con el
intenso flujo artístico que estoy recibiendo aquí,
no olviden que provengo de tierras próximas al fin del mundo..." |
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by
Carsten - Background Magazine**** 2001 Holland
Here's
another musician from Argentina, doing an album (almost) entirely
on his own.
Bruno Sanfilippo manages to come whit a highly entertaining album.
Bruno also plays mainly instrumental music, but has a musically different
approach.
The first thought that comes to mind after listening to "Suite
Patagonia" is of Mike Oldfield's firts albums, specially "Tubular
Bells", thanks to the structure of the tracks and sounds used.
Another parallel (but less significant) is to a soundtrack, like "Braveheart",
because of the surprising strong folky influences every now and then.
Bruno even uses some traditional Indian instruments on the CD.
The disc seems to be sort of an instrumental concept and the booklet
tells anecdotes of the discovery (by Europeans, that is) and history
of Patagonia - in Spanish and English.
Because of the concept, I find it a bit hard to pinpoint a single
track as highlight of example.
Despite the fact, that the music doesn't run trough over the full
length and is divided into 7 separate tracks, if feels as a whole.
And I think it should be regarded as such.
A great alternative for people who lost their faith in Mike Oldfield!
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by
Wondrous Stories Journal # 109 - UK 2001
For
those that don't know Patatgonia is the largely unspoil Southern region
of South America shared between Argentina and Chile, including the
Tierra del Fuego, an archipielago off the southern tip of South America
ending at Cape Horn in the Antarctic Ocean.
This album is a collection of pastoral, almost new age styled, compositions
which is not only beautifully written but is also a wonderful advertisement
for the Argentine Tourist Board.
The CD cover features stories from the Region and some enticing landscape
shot which had
me reaching for my travel atlas to see what it would cost to get out
there.
The album itself consist of 7 evocative pieces describing different
features of the land, its discovery, its people and wildlife. Modern
keyboards and violin are complemented by traditional instruments of
the Ona and Yamana Indian peoples of the Region. Several tracks incorporate
the birdsong of native species to elaborate the ethnic and ecological
metaphors.
The closest comparison I can make to the music on this album is to
yhe more relaxed aspect
of Jade Warrior's Island years (e.g.Way of the Sun) and their final
two albums without David Duhig.
Few bands were as successful at drawing the listener into landscapes
and social behaviour as Jade warrior and it is a tribute to the skill
of Bruno Sanfilippo that he has been able to create similar effects
so well.
The music has few, if any, sharp edges but never slip into the overt
sentimentalism and quasi-religious undertones of many new age albums.
Enjoyable both as soothing background music and for more intense listening
pleasure when the subtleties of texture and delicate touches of instrumentation
can fully appreciated. |
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by
Kristian Selm - Progressive
Newsletter #34
- 2001 Germany
Es
gibt einige Dinge, die auf den ersten Eindruck bzw. beim Anhören
einer CD erst einmal einen etwas auf innere Distanz gehen lassen.
Die Worte "instrumentales Keyboardalbum" und "Konzeptwerk"
fallen in diese Kategorie, obwohl sie an sich nun ja wirklich nicht
immer so negativ vorbelastet sind. Doch zu viele Elektroniktüfftler
aus dem Keller haben so manch ambitioniertes Gesamtwerk zu einer
Farce werden lassen.
Der Argentinier Bruno Sanfilippo gehört glücklicherweise
nicht dazu.
Denn im Gegensatz zu vielen Kollegen schafft er es, nicht nur leere
Tonfolgen zu programmieren und zu spielen, sein Werk hat Spannungselemente,
in langsam sich steigernder Atmosphäre wird Bombast und Pathos
in ein verträgliches Maß gepackt.
War
da nicht am Anfang der Kritik auch die Rede von einem Konzeptwerk?
Also, flugs zum Inhalt dieses Albums: die "Suite Patagonia"
handelt
von der Entdeckung Patagoniens und Feuerlands durch den Seefahrer
Hernando de Magellanes, der auf der Suche nach einem Seeweg nach
China und Japan, den südamerikanischen Kontinent umschiffte
und schließlich auch die nach ihm benannte Seestraße
fand. Im rund 24-seitigen Booklet gibt es die historische Abhandlung
der damaligen Ereignisse ergänzt um wunderschöne Landschaftsaufnahmen.
Musikalisch
bewegt sich Sanfilippo irgendwo zwischen sinfonischem New Age und
World Music. Sein Soundtrack für den Kopf malt feine Linien,
sachte werden Stimmungen erzeugt, die zudem durch Violine, gesampelte
Flöten- und Bläsertöne sanft davongleiten.
Mal klingt etwas verspielte Kindlichkeit durch, mal wird die sinfonische
Dramatik langsam gesteigert, um die Landschaft musikalisch greifbar
zu machen.
Man möchte fast selbst in ein Boot steigen, um zu einer Reise
zu einer der ursprünglichsten
und kargsten Landschaften Südamerikas aufzubrechen. |
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by
Lloyd Barde - Backroadsmusic USA 2001
Here
is a new artist from Buenos Aires who now lives in Spain, named
Bruno Sanfilippo.
He has a new release and three previous titles which combine classical
influence and similarities to the sweeping music of Vangelis.
Subtle melodies, majestic strings and Celtic influences all com-bine
with superb orchestral arrangements to build and structure Brunos
crafty compositions.
Much
of Suite Patagonia has a soundtrack feel, in the best artistic sense,
and this is not surprising given the historical and story-telling
nature of his work. While all instrumental, there are surely many
layers of narrative in this work.
Patagonia refers to the southernmost extreme of the Americas, south
of Argentina.
The
music is replete with the magic and fantasy of the myths fed by
old conquerors, adven-turers and the native peoples.
Colorful instrumentation, with aboriginal songs and sounds of the
southern fauna, such as birds of Patagonia, illumines the European
vision of
a time & place of numberless of histories & legends. Brunos
three earlier titles all have their own unique merit.
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by
José
M. Duque - Future Music N° 58- Dic 2001 España
Una
banda sonora sin película, que consigue evocar todo tipo de
imágenes en la mente de quien lo escucha.
Sanfilippo propone una visita por la historia y leyendas de la época
de los conquistadores sobre los paisajes e indígenas de este
lugar.
Cánticos rituales en "Giant Patagon", la gradiosidad
de "Sayhueque" o la orquestación y piano de "Terra
Incognita" atacan lo más profundo
de tus sentidos, combinando samplers y sintes con instrumentos ancestrales.
Inevitables referencias a Vangelis, Mike Oldfield o Ennio Morricone,
pero con incomparable riqueza y fuerza. |
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by
John "Bo Bo" Bollenberg - Progressive world Magazine
2000 USA
I
wouldnt be at all surprised if somewhere in the Sanfilippo home
one could find a sign which says "genius at work," because
when you listen
to "Suite Patagonia" for the very first time, theres
only one word you can think of and thats genius, G-E-N-I-U-S!
As Vangelis tackled the discovery of America by Columbus on his 1492
soundtrack, Sanfilippo here delivers a view into history, into the
southern extreme of the Americas that reached the South Pole, Terra
Incognita Australis.
The booklet is filled with interesting information about this period
and its history, whilst the music really has you explore that huge
territory by means of instrumental storytelling beauty.
Opener "Sayhueque" is bombastic yet contains the true feel
of the Mapuche Indians by introducing their authentic instruments
such as quanas, quanachos, pifilca and trutruca, all skillfully performed
here by one Paulo Carri.
Sanfilippo himself plays kultrum and chaschas, two other authentic
instruments from the Mapuche heritage.
Next to the rich patterns on synthesizers and samplers, Bruno has
also added the richness
of real violin as performed here by Natalia Chiambaretta. In several
of the tracks you can also hear the true recordings of Patagonian
birds, which of course bring the synthetic music and the true spirit
of nature closer together.
The underlying repetitive pattern makes Giant Patagon
into a dragging rhythm, again complemented with birdsong and detailed
instrumentation.
Terra Incognita contains loads of classical references
and in fact sometimes sounds as if a real orchestra is at work.
It contains a very addictive rhythm and fuses Celtic-like elements
within the music.
The classical reference goes one step further when classical piano
melts together with kettle drums and a huge choir to extra emphasize
the repetitive nature of Terra Incognita". Towards the
end I notice a bit of early-Oldfield influences as well.
Magallanes holds a fair amount of Arabian elements not
in the least the addictive nature of the rhythmic pattern, which kind
of places
you on a flying carpet overlooking the vast Patagonian landscape.
Fuegia & Jemmy contains an original recording of a
ritual song by extinguished Indian tribes of the most southern tip
of Patagonia.
This chant is embedded in very powerful and bombastic strings building
like the waves that crash on the beach.
To top it all, this song also includes the sound of authentic "ballena
Franca" whales.
The actual Suite Patagonia is a fine example of the compositional
skills of Sanfilippo, introducing subtle melodies backed by some outstanding
majestic strings in the best Vangelis tradition.
Again Celtic influences spring to mind when you hear the inclusion
of tin whistle that complements the superb orchestral arrangement.
The album closes with The Andes", a repetitive pattern
that sounds like a loop fading in the distance.
Get that Grammy ready as this guy truly deserves it! In the meantime,
film directors can stop their quest for the right soundtrack as
Bruno Sanfilippo will certainly do an outstanding job. Superb! |
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by Mark
Hughes DutchProgressiveRock
Born to an Italian father and an Argentinean mother, Bruno Sanfilippo
started studying piano at the age of 7, and by the age of 23 was a
Music Professor at the Galvani Conservatory. Diverging from the piano,
Bruno spent the next three years studying synthesisers, programming
and the versatility of sampling and MIDI systems. His first album
Sons of the Light was released in 1991 followed by The New Kingdom
in 1995.
Building his own studio, ad21music, Bruno produced his third album,
Solemnis, in 1998.
This latest album, released in 2000, is a musical
representation of the history and myths of Patagonia, the land at
the south-eastern tip of South America. Accompanied by a lavish
24-page booklet (with text in both Spanish and English) the music
combines traditional Mapuche Indian instruments, wild life recordings
of birds and whales, and a large array of modern synthesisers and
samplers.
With Bruno playing the majority of the instrumentation,
the obvious comparison is with Mike Oldfield, and several pieces,
most notably
Terra Incognita, are worthy of the reclusive Englishman himself.
However, the music contains a plethora of drum rhythms, bringing
to mind
the music of Peter Gabriel at the time of this third and fourth
albums.
The whole album is very 'visual' akin to some of
the music produced by Ant Phillips or Ennio Morricone. It evokes
images of grand sweeping vistas, the wilds of nature, the brutality
and beauty of the ocean. The only quibble is the sequencing, the
pseudo-orchestral title track should, in my opinion have ended the
album. Comprised of a sequence of several musical themes, alternatively
tranquil and dramatic, with a lovely faux guitar melody (sadly rather
swamped by excessive keyboard fills in places), a short vocal section
(reminiscent of a Gregorian chant) and a rousing church organ, this
piece packs more ideas into its eight and a half minutes than many
bands manage over an entire album. Unfortunately, it is followed
by The Andes, an almost new-age piece that is altogether inconsequential.
Overall, Suite Patagonia is an excellent soundtrack
without a film. It won't get your heart racing or stun you with
virtuoso performances,
but for fans of symphonic prog, this album is worth investigating.
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by
Marcos
Cardozo - Revista Metamusica # 63 Brazil - Octubre 2000
Da Argentina nos chega uma agradável surpresa; um álbum
chamado "Suite Patagonia" (ad21music, 47:00) do tecladista
Bruno Sanfilippo.
Trata-se na verdade do quarto disco dele, pois antes foram editados
"Sons of the Light" (1991) "The New Kingdom" (1995)
e "Solemnis" (1997).
Com formacao erudita em piano e teoria musical, mais extensao em guitarra,
instrumentacao MIDI e programacao de samplers e sintetizadores, Bruno
tem uma incrível nocao de cómo criar uma obra conceitual.
Sua capacidade de captar melodias no ar e transformá-las em
arranjos épicos ou singelas sinfonias romanticas, nos faz lembrar
de nomes como David Arkestone e Gandalf.
"Suite Patagonia", que tem a participacao de um percussionista,
uma violinista e a inclusao de sons naturais de pássaros e
águas da Terra do Fogo, traz histórias lendárias
do belo e estranho mundo que o extremo sul de nosso continente, em
música que desenvolvem temas como
"Giant Patagon", "Teraa Incognita" é uma
obra fantástica, de padrao internacional, transbordante de
técnica e emocao, que surpreende logo á primeira audicao.
Fas dos nomes citados (e de outros, como Mike Oldfield) nao devem
perder esta fantástica realizacao altamente recomendada por
Metamúsica! |
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