Ernesto Nobili - La Via Dell’Acqua
Ernesto Nobili from Naples has 25 years of experience as a composer, producer and musician under his belt. These now flow into his new EP 'La Via Dell' Acqua' (The Way of Water). Four sound pearls that capture the mood of the world and transform it into minimalist virtuoso works. Each of the four sound pearls tells its own story. Atmospheric neoclassical music that goes hand in hand with world music. The cover artwork features a photo by Natalino Russo. It shows the staircase of Palazzo Mannajuolo and represents the never-ending circle of life.
Ernesto Nobili's music career began in his childhood. Self-taught, he taught himself the first fingerings and chords, graduating in Classical Guitar from the Naples Conservator of Music. To immediately jump on the stages of Italy. Since then he plays in the band Spaccanapoli, runs his own music label Musique d'Ailleurs and works as music director of Passione, a live show with the best Neapolitan musicians. Can't do more? You can.
Because he has finally realized what friends and colleagues have long accused him of not doing: putting his art of guitar playing in the spotlight. The guitar became the center of his earth and Nobili the (re)discoverer of classical and minimalist sound formations. Or should we rather say sound paintings?
Before I start raving about Roma and forget the other sound gems, I'd rather put the cart before the horse.
Not Yet Remembered is a guitar transcription by Brian Eno and Harold Budd (Ambient 2: The Plateaux of Mirror). Musicians among themselves. I had my difficulties with this piece. It is quite minimalistic and was written in search of new expressive possibilities for acoustic guitar. It is based on two classical guitars and an electric baritone guitar. It is the experiment of translating minimalist piano sounds into guitar. For Nobili a matter of the heart:
“Once again, I need to feel a Human Player, not some machine programmer, and ambient can pass through your fingers as well” Nobili.
The title track La Via dell'Acqua was created in collaboration with Italian guitarist Gianmarco Volpe. The piece was inspired by the Taoist teacher Alan Watts and long spiritual and esoteric discussions that took place in their session nights. And this song also sounds like a conversation between two acquaintances. Auditory speech bubbles reflecting wisdom and depth, talent and experience.
Through your Fingers is actually a song for three guitars. He set aside his nylon sides for this piece. According to Nobili, this song has become a study of harmonies and rhythmic circling. Like water running through your fingers, only as waves of sound. When studies sound this beautiful, I don't mind theory. To my ears, Through your Fingers sounded very modern, clear and bright. The rhythm was inviting, like a choir, made up of melodic fragments resting on a deep serenity. A homogeneous sea of sound, layers upon layers, playful tones on a dreamy background. I hear color again...
So, and now I finally get into raptures. The first song of the EP Roma touched me deeply and conjured me into another world. For the artist himself, the title for two classical guitars reminds of the golden years of the Italian film industry. "The Title comes out from an atmosphere which reminds me to some Italian cinema masterpieces from the '60 and the '70, and Rome was the city of cinema..." It also reminds me of a film, but of a modern nature. Those of you who have seen 'Frida' with Salma Hayek know what I'm talking about. Quietly the guitar starts to ripple, then gets lost in hot summer colors. I feel color, drama, longing, expression, heartache, art and joy of life in one song. And all without lyricism. and so gentle. hach.
There the water can gladly flow down the river....
Listen and Dream
