String figures are a storytelling activity and an age old form of spiritual play. There are hundreds of them, from all over the world, often representing things from nature or day to day objects or activities. The long days of the Covid-19 pandemic UK lockdown and a bewildered mind led me to learning a number of them, picking at random for a welcome distraction. As the months went by and the lockdown continued, I began writing simple melodies to represent the simple, innocent and playful movements of two hands, a piece of string and the passing of time. There was so much uncertainty within the monotonous days and I think this also comes out in the pieces. 

My brilliant friends Mainly Two, a violin duo, recorded this collection of miniatures in the depths of the Black Forest in Germany 48°49'42.4"N 8°23’09.6”E. It had to be outside, everything had to be outside during that time, so you’ll also hear the soundscape of the forest, distant traffic and airplanes that surrounded them.

String Figures

Breastbone And Ribs

Mouse

Apache Door

Hygge

It's the 1st advance from my forthcoming album ‘Ver Sacrum’, out on March 10 through ad21
"Spectral and haunting, there’s an almost monastic quality to ‘Sacred Spring’, the first piece to be taken from pianist and composer Bruno Sanfilippo’s forthcoming new album ‘Ver Sacrum’. An air of quiet solitude too; poignant strings wash in and out of focus punctuated by a slow, melancholic organ line. Like all his best work, it’s emotionally resonant yet quietly captivating, a master class in mood and shadow" Derek Robertson, journalist and music writer: Guardian, Independent, NME, VICE, Timeout, The Quietus, The Face.

Vanesa Tomás (Soprano)
Mariel Aguilar (Mezzo Soprano) 
Analog mastered by Ian Hawgood, 
Cover by Javier Guglielmi 

https//www.bruno-sanfilippo.com

Ver Sacrum

Sacred Spring

AppleMusic/Spotify

(ENG) Just think of peace and comfort.
(PTbr) Basta pensar em paz e conforto.

Pela Paz / For Peace

Piano Works is the second installment of Lucy Claire’s ‘Works’ series. It is an eclectic take on what piano music can be. Featuring cellist Ren Ford (Keaton Henson’s Romantic Works) and violinist Marie Schreer (The Royal Northern Sinfonia) and surrounded in atmospheric binaural soundscapes, the piano is far from lonely. The work features a collection of pianos from grands and uprights, to electric keyboards, toy and thumb pianos. It is grounded in the real world but hints strongly at the magical and supernatural, it absorbs, transports, then delivers you back to reality with new perspective.

Willow

Pause

Today I was lazing by Rutland Water (in England) with my fiancée and I had this feeling of complete and utter calm, peacefulness, and contentment. And at the same time I had the inspiration for the sound of this piece - not the melody, rhythm, or chords.... just the sound.

I managed to retain that feeling and somehow combined a couple of effects plugins to recreate that sound... and here it is (together with a melody of course).

All in all the effect took about 20 minutes to get right and then the writing and recording took another 20 minutes... sometimes when the muse gives you an idea she gives it complete!

I hope you like it - if you do, please consider liking my Facebook page: https://facebook.com/purplerhapsody

Lazing By The Lake

Mute

Composed and performed by Richard Brincklow (Bledig) on Piano and Andrew Phillips (Grasscut) on GuitarViol and effects. Part of an album, Dusk, Andrew and Richard hope to release later in the year.

Willow

Lucy Claire

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