Orígenes
Navona, 2023
8/10
The guitarist and composer Giovanni Piacentini meshes American and European culture across these many tracks that tip their hat to these legendary guitar composers.
“Chôros No. 1”, by Heitor Villa-Lobos, opens the listen with fluid, Spanish influenced patterns that emit much beauty and culture, and it isn’t long until Antonio Lauro’s “4 Valses venezolanos: No. 3” unfolds with strong attention to melody via the complicated progressions.
In the middle, “New Allemande”, an original, is packed with radiant and rich techniques that are a bit dreamy, while “Scherzino mexicano (Version for Guitar)” carries a breezy demeanor that’s heartfelt and warm in the Manuel M. Ponce piece.
Arriving near the end, “Verano porteño” is full of sublime intimacy thanks to the stirring guitar playing, and “The Nomad” exits the listen with frisky and exciting waves of colorful song craft- much of what embodies all of Piacentini’s other originals, too.
An excellent solo, instrumental body of work, Piacentini’s guitar playing is meticulous, inviting and memorable from beginning to end.
Travels well with: Sophie Dupuis- Comme Bon Lui Semble; Joanna Estelle- Transmutation