Mistheria - Solo Piano (2007)Videoradio

Some of you, Dear Readers, could read the review of one of Mistheria's solo releases a few months ago, but I'd like to remind you of some important details concerning an Italian maven's artistic activity. He graduated from Music Conservatory "Casella" (L'Aquila; organ and organ composition), but it is necessary to write that he has always had extensive musical interests attending many other extra classes: electronic composition, computer music, experimental composition, history of music, counterpoint and fugue, Gregorian chant etc. Among others, he was taught by an accordion consummate master - Maestro Marco Aurelio Pisegna, but Giuseppe Iampieri is also acquainted with piano, keyboard, music theory and solfeggio. His musical curriculum vitae is sizeable and proves his cooperation with many great artists and bands: Mirage, Rick Renstrom, Neil Zaza, Winterlong, Rob Rock, Bruce Dickinson, Franck Ribiere, Citriniti, Tribe Of Gypsies, Book Of Reflections, Andrea Rivera, Sergio Meogrossi, Francesco Mazzullo etc. Briefly put, a young artist with a significant output!

The newest Mistheria's solo CD is a kind of personal journey through his musical and life experiences. I'd like to stress that the Italian virtuoso plays the pianoforte (grand piano) on the album with no guitars, drums and other metal instruments. Being absolutely serious, I can describe his music as piano and forte. What does it mean? Giuseppe decided to show his romantic and emotive artistic face in comparison to metal releases and did it very well. His material is both quiet (piano) and loud (forte). Some subtle and beautiful tunes are a kind of thanks to his mother and father, and the track "The Life Of Miracle" is dedicated to an American guitar ace - Shawn Lane who passed away a few years ago. All these compositions are full of sacred serenity, tranquillizing effect and wonderful instrumental moments. Personally for me, it is a great event to be able to hear Mistheria's "Nocturne in C minor op. 27, no. 1". It is so, since "the poet of the piano", as Frederic Chopin was used to be called, was of Polish nationality. Many thanks for your flawless interpretation, Giuseppe! Frederic would have been proud of you! I also enjoy Astor Piazzolla's "Libertango" that is one of the highlight on the CD. It isn't strange, because aforesaid composition is one of the most popular Piazzolla's track. If you like listening to rhythmic numbers, you should be addicted with it. A real Argentinian virtuosity!

Grabbing an opportunity, I'd like also to share with you my opinion on another promotional sampler sent to me by Mistheria. This stuff differs from that described above including electric guitar parts. For instance the track "Devil's Steps" is dynamic and heavy thanks to guitar riffs and cosmic tones that take us to a space dimension. Tomaso Albinoni's "Adagio in G minor" was originally composed for a string orchestra and organ. This composition is famous for its "falling tones" motif and rhetorical figures having defined meaning and making us think of a specific emotions. Mistheria has managed to preserve the mood known from the original. Moreover, I must admit that he was able to smuggle an original tones in possibly most noble way, haha. "Capriccio #24" is one of most famous of Niccolo Paganini's works. The Italian interpretation is performed with fresh touches and ingenious improvised parts. The idea of "My Dear Chopin" is a bit similar to Vitalij Kuprij's "Idol Tribute", except that Ukrainian's concept was based on medley, however Giuseppe's composition goes around one "idol" only, haha. Yeah, it's wonderful improvised tribute to a Polish composer of romanticism period with a few excerpts from Frederic Chopin's works. With this composition, you will get to know how synthesized Chopin can sound! "Asturias" is the composition by Isaac Albéniz who was a guitarist and a pianist, and represented a national style in the Spanish music. His piano compositions were chiefly based on folklore (especially its Andalusian kind). Giuseppe proves that he is adept at polyphony and proficient in creating lofty mood. "Master of Contrasts" would be also an adequate description of his gifts as he can join modern technology with tradition and marriage synthesizers with piano. What's better? Both the best! "One Day in Heaven" is an evidence for Mistheria's interest in new age music. Upon listening to this track, you can feel relaxing and purifying effect both as regards literally and spiritually.

To sum up my review, I have the privilege of announcing that Mistheria represents the same world's league as Vitalij Kuprij, Richard Andersson and Janne Wirman, but I'd like to stress that Giuseppe isn't their clone, but having his unique style and own musical personality can indisputably be distinct among them. As far as his "Solo Piano" is concerned, I can sincerely recommend it to those who like Vitalij Kuprij's "Works of Liszt & Chopin". It means that you will be able to come upon the calm instrumentals and stormy atmospheres as well, but, generally this album is a proposal with precious sound for sensitive listeners. Mistheria proved that he can be both an excellent pianist as well as a metal keyboard wizard. It shows the stuff value itself.