Giorgio Costantini originates from Venice and, though he is now based in Rome, he says that all his music connects back to his place of birth. This presumably accounts for tracks with a watery theme (Oceana and Jellyfish Ballet).
He is an experienced arranger, programmer and producer, having played on more than 40 albums. He has also accompanied over 200 artists including Fiorella Mannoia, Michael Bolton, Lenny Kravitz and Elvis Costello.
Universound is his second solo album after 2006's PianoPianoForte. It features half a dozen orchestrated tracks and seven piano solos. Influences range from the classical (Chopin, Debussy, Liszt) to prog/ambient (Tony Banks, Ryuichi Sakamoto).
Fans, of which I am not one, are fond of using adjectives like lush, moody, sweeping or undulating to describe the soundscapes. Above all the music is designed to relax the listener, the aural equivalent of a hot soapy bath after a long day.
On the , pretentious? moi?, album cover and on publicity shots he looks like a real poseur. The suspicion that a substantial ego lurks behind this music is borne out by the fact that, while the sleeve contains a long list of names of those he wants to thank, he offers no information about who plays what on the orchestral tracks.
The opening track Alba Mundi (The origin of the World) is tuned into orbital frequencies of the nine planets of the solar system ; an epic concept somewhat improbably completed in a little over three minute.
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Stardust is one of many tracks which are tailor made for a new-age dinner party mix-tape. The Emperor is slightly livelier and belongs on a soundtrack to a fantasy movie (it has already been chosen as a score to an Italian trailer for the TV series Smallville).
The titles and tone also suggest that he wants his piano pieces to set a romantic mood. You should be warned, however, that tracks like Il Respiro di un Amore (A lover's breath) or La Sua Presenze in ogni cosa (Your presence in everything) are more likely to send your hot date to sleep than arouse her to the heights of passion.
This album will doubtless find its place on the New Age shelf in many homes and will appeal to lovers of Ludovico Einaudi. For my part, I'd prefer to light a few candles and take my bath in silence.
Giorgio Costantini's Website
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