Ataraxia/Autunna Et Sa Rose - Odos Eis Ouranon - La Via Verso Ii Cielo
Equilibrium Music – July 2005
By Russell Garwood
Odos Eis Ouranon - La Via Verso Ii Cielo documents a special live acoustic show - performed and recorded in the church of St. Michele, Rovigo - from Italian neo-classicists
Ataraxia and
Autunna Et Sa Rose. Both sets include exclusive material, while older songs serve as a “best of” for each act (although the tracks are rearranged for this acoustic show).
Despite the similarity in style of these two bands, there is quite a dichotomy between to the two discs on this highly limited release.
Ataraxia’s contribution,
Strange Lights proves restrained, with a subtle melancholy, avoiding the self-indulgent experimentalism that often tends to go hand in hand with neoclassical music. Francesca Nicoli’s vocal musings vary between singing and occasional recitation, nearly always in fitting with the tranquil backing, while the gentle acoustic guitars of Vittorio Vandelli are excellent. Giovanni Pagliari is responsible for understated piano, an almost constant and always welcome presence, while the sound is completed by the unusual and atmospheric percussion of Riccardo Spaggiari. This quartet have created a relaxing, well executed, quirky and memorable set.
Strange Lights will be received well by the majority of neo-classical fans.
Autunna Et Sa Rose perform songs “from their first 3 albums, hereby interpreted on piano and cello, and featuring soprano vocals and poetic recitation”. As is suggested by this quote from the press release press release, this band’s contributions – in the form of
Logos – are more stripped down, yet with an overtly pretentious approach. The songs are indulgent, often ostentatious and – to my ears – not as well composed as I would like to hear from such a band. That said there are occasional moments of excellence during which emotional melodies, and tangible music shine through, the otherwise disjointed tones, and forgettable meanderings. As such this second disc comes with a more cautious recommendation.
There is no doubt, however, that this release is unusual and provides interesting listening. For fans of neo-classical
Odos Eis Ouranon - La Via Verso Ii Cielo comes recommended.
7/10
Official Equilibrium Music website
Official Ataraxia website
Official Autunna Et Sa Rose webister
