Gianfranco Malorgio, an Italian guitarist and composer, started out playing the classical guitar before coming across gypsy jazz and the music of Django Reinhardt. As the founder and rhythm guitarist of Hot Club Roma, he has performed that type of music in theatres, at festivals and on concert stages, playing with musicians such as Dorado Schmitt and Stochelo Rosenberg. The fact that he has a background in ensemble playing gives the piece “An Immigrant’s Story” a special context since it is a musician experienced in group music who is now tackling the subject through electronic composition.
The piece ‘An Immigrant’s Story’ focuses on the theme of Italian emigration and was originally conceived with a film adaptation being possible. It is a major subject for an instrumental work; departure, family history and the difficulty of starting a new life each have their own emotional connotations.
Cinematic, Electronic, Contemplative
-PurpleMistress
Malorgio deals with these ideas by means of atmosphere, employing synthesizers, rhythmic patterns and guitar to give the composition a steady and dramatic form. The most interesting aspect of the piece is the relationship between the electronics and Moreno Viglione’s guitar. The sustained synth textures create the background atmosphere, whereas the guitar adds a more tangible musical element.
It is thanks to their interaction that the arrangement acquires its character. To me, this combination is the most appealing part of the idea: a piece for electronics which includes space for the expressive capabilities of a guitarist. The way the film is structured also accounts for the pacing: the rhythmic pulse gives it a sense of direction and the open layout enables the tension to build up slowly. Pauses and longer sections become incorporated into the writing, allowing each gesture to be properly registered.
There is a certain attraction in a composer deciding on such patience when dealing with such an important topic. The piece “An Immigrant’s Story” stresses contemplation, the historical background giving importance to the way the guitar and electronics interact. Malorgio’s shift into this area represents an interesting development on the basis of his musical experience, something that will appeal particularly to people who enjoy instrumental music with a definite dramatic aim.
