After a joint performance at the church of St. Michele in Rovigo, Italy Ataraxia and Autunna et sa Rose agreed to release a double CD featuring all acoustic songs performed by each band. With the assistance of Equilibrium Music, this task has come to fruition in the form of La Via Verso Il Cielo.

Neoclassical

Artist: Ataraxia / Autunna et sa Rose

Title: La Via Verso Il Cielo (Lmtd. 2000 Copies)

Label: Equilibrium Music

Genre: Neoclassical

Resource Links:

Ataraxia

Equilibrium Music

Equilibrium Music is a Portuguese based music label dedicated to producing artists working within the Darkwave, Neo-Classical, Medieval, Dark Folk, Ambient music and related genres in Portugal. To date their efforts have produced a number of stunning and memorable albums including Dwelling – Humana and Vittorio Vandelli - A Day of Warm Rain in Heaven. Equilibrium Music’s latest venture involves the participation of the very well known Italian artists Ataraxia and the lesser-known talent of Autunna et sa Rose. After a joint performance at the church of St. Michele in Rovigo, Italy Ataraxia and Autunna et sa Rose agreed to release a double CD featuring all acoustic songs performed by each band. With the assistance of Equilibrium Music, this task has come to fruition in the form of La Via Verso Il Cielo.

La Via Verso Il Cielo is a two CD collection of all acoustic song performed by Ataraxia and Autunna et sa Roe and recorded especially for this release. This unique limited edition release comes packaged in a CD digipack and includes booklets that feature liner notes, exclusive photographs, and complete lyrics for both albums.

La Via Verso Il Cielo features a complete CD dedicated to each artists music. Ataraxia who many have become familiar with over the past several years as fundamental members of the neoclassical music genre, are featured on the CD titled “Strange Lights.” For this all-acoustic performance, the lineup of Ataraxia included members Francesco Nicoli, Vittorio Vandelli, Giovanni Pagliari, and Ricardo Spaggiari. What sets this CD apart from Ataraxia’s other highly exalted accomplishments is the bands exclusive use of acoustic instrumentation. Though classical instrumentation is a common factor in most of Ataraxia’s music this is the first time we have been treated to an all-acoustic rendition of their work. To realize this feat Ataraxia paired down their music instrumentation to flute, classical guitar, piano, ocean drum, tar, timpani, bells, wind and key chimes, and rattles. For those familiar with the rich and multilayered sound of Ataraxia’s studio album’s this sparse instrumentation may appear as striking.

What makes this release stand out is the amazing music Ataraxia was able to reproduce using such paired down instrumentation. Though the songs that we are familiar with are reduced to lesser instrumentation, the richness of Ataraxia’s music is exalted when rendered acoustically. Rather than losing something in translation the music of Ataraxia unfolds and flows as if it where written to be heard in this natural form. Most of the compositions are led by voice, piano, and guitar while being accented by flute and percussion. The delicate the refined nature of each composition flourishes within this new format.

“Strange Lights” has definitely opened the doors to Ataraxia exploring a new style of composition and I would be truly delighted to see the band pursue an entire studio album aimed at further exploring the acoustic side of their art. Songs on “Strange Lights” include material that spans the bands entire career as well as a handful of songs taken from highly exclusive releases that have now been deleted from publication as well as a couple of exclusive songs that are previously unreleased.

The second CD in the La Via Verso Il Cielo collection is titled “Logos.” “Logos” features an all acoustic concert recorded at St. Michele’s Church in Rovigo, Italy on the 31 st of May 2003 by Autunna et sa Rose. Though Autunna et sa Rose has not yet attained the exalted status amidst neoclassical music lovers as has Ataraxia their music is just as deserving of our attention. Autunna et sa Rose veers from the path taken by Ataraxia as they explore a more traditional form of neoclassical music. The music on “Logos” is best described as a combination of classical music infused with a dose of experimentation. The compositions performed for this CD are rooted in classical sensibilities and are a definite detour from the more flowing and romantic nature of Ataraxia’s music. Autunna et sa Rose feature eleven song composed predominately around piano and cello and lead in part by soprano vocals. The result is complex songs lead by operatic vocals. Each composition is a unique and compelling listening experience as the listener is treated to a very high level of compositional skill and flawless rendering of each song. The piano and cello work seamlessly together weaving songs filled with emotion and confidence. The instrumentation though basic at first glance is utilized to create dense songs that delve deeply into classical music and bring forth a stunningly intricate platform for the female soprano vocalist. The vocals are as complex and beautiful as the music. The Soprano vocalists is identifiably classically trained and the vocal performance reflects the refinement and maturity of the accompanying music. Autunna et sa Rose is a perfect match and counterpoint to the more lush and romantic offerings of Ataraxia.

La Via Verso Il Cielo is a very mature and spellbinding release that brings a new level of expectation to the neoclassical music genre. Ataraxia’s abandonment of electronic instrumentation and their embracing of classical acoustic instrumentation has illustrated a refined side of the band that many will find very endearing and authentic. Those who are drawn to neoclassical music are sure to find Autunna et sa Rose to be a fine introduction to the more complex and theoretical aspects of traditional classical music. This release is truly a special treat that will be coveted by neoclassical music fans and I highly recommend you secure your copy so that you can rest assured that you have not missed one of the most monumental occurrences in the neoclassical music genre.