"Viandanze" is a stunning solo piano release from Italian pianist/composer Fabrizio Paterlini. Soft-spoken yet very deep and passionate, this is music that travels instantly from the ears to the heart. Reflective and somewhat melancholy, the thirteen pieces create a quiet atmosphere for other activities, but are too beautiful to keep in the background. Peaceful and uncluttered, Paterlini gets his message across with a minimum number of notes and an abundance of soulful emotion. He describes his music as “a glass of red wine on a summer evening.” I might add rich, soothing, and relaxing. This is a truly exceptional album and a very likely candidate for my Favorites List for 2010.

"Viandanze" begins with “Profondo blu” (“Deep Blue”), a very quiet piece that conveys feelings of yearning and hope. The steady repetition of a single note on the left hand suggests a heartbeat or pulse while the gentle melody tells an uncomplicated story - a great start! “Nuovi orizzonti” (“New Horizons”) picks up the tempo a bit, giving the piece a gentle energy and a sense of moving forward. “Esoterica virtu” is very slow and dark, and reminds me a bit of Erik Satie (as do other pieces on the album). “Primi Passi” (“First Steps”) is one of my favorites. Paterlini is the father of a young son, and I interpret this piece as the joy of seeing one’s small child starting to get around on his own, tempered by questions of what the future holds - an amazing piece! The title track is very understated and almost mournful, conveying the feeling of an intimate (and perhaps painful) conversation with someone close - an emotional powerhouse! “Sottovoce” has a subdued yet sparkling quality that moves with the grace of a slow, evocative dance. “In cerchio” (“Circle”) is a waltz of sorts that expresses longing, deep reflection, and perhaps a touch of regret. It’s another beauty! “Veloma” (“Goodbye”) is also a favorite. Heartfelt sadness pours out of the music, touching the listener in a profound way. “Qui ed ora” (“Here and Now”) closes the album with a simple, gentle melody accompanied by accented notes in the deep bass of the piano, creating a mood of peaceful reflection. 

"Viandanze" is an amazing album! The moods created with a minimal number of notes convey passions and emotions that would take volumes of words to express. Fabrizio Paterlini is an artist on a par with Ludovico Einaudi and David Lanz, and my hope is that the world is ready to embrace his music. Very highly recommended!
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