Artist of the Month (MARCH 2008) - Rondo Veneziano

[Corki]

Firstly, in my current process of resurrecting ideas that the Band of the Red Hand has done in the past, I am bringing back the Artist of the Month thread we used to have. It was successful, but sadly disappeared. More my fault than anything. As a result, I am bringing it back. And we'll continue it for as long as possible.

 

Now, the group I have chosen, Rondo Veneziano, are a group I've loved for an extremely long time. Firstly, they are very different. They aren't your normal group. They are actually an Italian chamber orchestra incorporating "a rock-style rhythm section of synthesizer, bass guitar and drums. It gives a very unique feel and sound to their music". I believe all their musicians are classically trained as well.

 

Formed in 1979, the group was a result of a fantastic idea by Gian Piero Reverberi. The group is famed for the fact the musicians wear original 18th century customes and wigs.

Click here for an image of Rondo Veneziano in concert.

The group consists of 9 soloists and 20 accompanists who help create the orchestra-like sound. Reverberi is a huge influence, as he conducts the group, plays the piano and writes their music.

 

Since 1979, the group has sold more than 25 million albums in Europe alone. They've made 26 albums, and tour a lot. The first 10 years saw albums of original composition in the style of baroque rondò, which is "a musical composition built on the alternation of a principal recurring theme and contrasting episodes." A fine example of this can be found in one of their most famous pieces, La Serenissima, which first appeared on their Venice in Peril album.

Here is a link to La Serenissima on YouTube.

The music is spritely and uplifting, and this is something Reverberi wanted to get across. There is a feel good factor to the music that wants to make you smile. And this is backed up by a quote from an interview with Reverberi.

Rondò Veneziano's music is first of all positive. Also when it seems to be sad, it's never sad. It's always positive in a sense that at the end there's always a good future. So I think that also the reason of the success it that it's music where you don't have to think negative or to feel negative or if you feel negative it should be something that brings you to think positive.

 

And when one listens to

, that message comes across. The string and woodwind instruments offer a sadness at the bringing with their slowness;  but it rapidly changes in the 2nd half, when everything comes a lot faster, more lively and upbeat. It just makes you want to smile. The music then slows down towards the end, giving you a feel of a "happy ever after" ending and a sense of achievement in overturning the negative start.

 

Their later work has brought their trademark of uplifting sounds to some of the great composers out there. Vivaldi, Beethoven and Mozart have all recieved the Rondo Veneziano treatment. In 1995, the album Sinfonia di Natale was released. Christmas was the topic, and many of our well loved  songs received a makeover. Sadly, I can't find any example to share with you.

 

As you have noticed, they have a heavy Venetian influence. A lot of their songs have references to famous sites in Venice. I also seem to remember that money raised from sales of their Venice in Peril was used to help finance the "Save Venice" charity to stop the city sinking into the lagoon. When I was in Venice last summer, I would have loved to have seen them there, but sadly, it was not to be.

 

So, to conclude, I feel there is something magical about the music of Rondo Veneziano. It draws you in and makes you happy, even if a piece starts of slowly. I've been a fan since my parents first played me La Serenissima when I was a child. I'm slowly working my way through the albums (I've got 5! lol!) and would love to see them in concert one day!

 

Feel free to search YouTube, and ask any questions you may have on the group or their music. I hope I have shed some light on a group I love so much, and hope you can enjoy their music as much as I can. I look forward to an interesting discussion.

 

Click here to go to Rondo Veneziano's official website. Samples of their tracks can be found here as well.