UPDATE; May 2002. Ataraxia have been playing concerts in several countries and have been particularly well received in Russia and have just released a new CD titled 'MON SEUL DESIR' ( on Cruel Moon/ Cold meat industry) The CD is artistically ambitious. In the bands own words "This coming album has two great literary and iconographical inspirations but the deepest source of inspiration comes from some happenings of that crazy,troubled, unexpected 2001 that turned up side down the lives of many of us ....These two further sources are 'The Canticle of Canticles' of King Solomon ( one of the most beautiful pices of poetry portraying love both in a symbolic/spiritual and in a most bodily perspective) and the cycle of late- mediaeval tapestries "La Dame a la Licorne" collected in the mediaeval museum of Cluny in Paris. These six tapestries represent in a symbolic way the five senses and the overcoming of them to find equilibrium, pleasure and purity.We could easily say that all of this has the same meaning of the name of the band, the word ATARAXIA.....( the CD features) Eastern and mediaeval love songs, completely remade and re-arranged by us " In my view the CD is excellent, and a good introduction to the work of ATARAXIA for new listeners. Prime European Neo-Classical music ( with a large degree of mediaeval influence), sophisticated, but also passionate, inspired by tradition but still finding room for inovation. It would be virtually inconceivable to find a British or American band who would admit to knowing anything about the 'La Dame a la Licorne' tapestry sequence, and citing this as an inspiration. This emphasis on a European cultural curent of distinction ( which combines a certain influence of Arabic rhythem and dance - which permeated Southern Europe in the Medieval era) seems to be ATARAXIA's mission. Long may they flourish.
" ATARAXIA are an Italian band who have been recording and playing since 1985. They have performed 200 concerts in Europe, released eight CDs and finally got to play in Britain for the first time a week ago. Ataraxia are very influenced by Medieval music and their 1998 CD 'Historiae' bears witness to this. Neo-Classical, Baroque, Renaissance style of music and European mysticism, the writing of Vriginia Woolfe are other inspirations. The gig was not well attended though seemed to attract the new wave of Goths. Ever since the heyday of Dead Can Dance there has been a strange overlap of interest in Medieval music in the Goth scene and I welcome this development. I don't see any advantage in trying to make Medieval music too precious and remote. Ataraxia certainly demonstrate musical ability and proficiency whilst appealing to a less formal audience than the esoteric 'stonewalls and stacks of candles' Early Music scene."
