Appreciation of Alessandra Celletti’s deep interest in my music
Alessandra Celleti in concert
I encountered the Rome pianist and composer Alessandra Celletti on MySpace in 2007, I think. It was like an explosion of light. I adore her Satie and Gurdjieff particularly. I had first become interested in these 2 composers’ and their expressive similarity back in 1971, when Ale was 2 years old. Both are internal composers, radiant and reflective, placing presence above form and they are as a result influences for me.
Her playing has a breathing spacious touch into the sounds. She has a rubato when she plays Satie like no other pianist, it is simply straight from the realms of magic. The combination of gentle control and the tidal sense of ever so slight speed change, is arresting.
a painting gifted to me by Alessandra’s mother Leila Gabellini, created on hearing Starmilk the music
We corresponded on MySpace. Ale immediately offered to play at my music festival, which took 4 years to make happen. In the meantime there were some more wonderful moments. In 2008 I sent her my fractal studies from 1985 (3 of them) for piano. Her reaction was SO positive (I had thought these piece were too difficult and too “out there” for anyone to ever attempt them or even want to) – but she said they were enchanting her! This inspired me, to go back to them and I wrote many more, there are now 12 and counting.
So far Ale has performed Fractal Study no.1 at Poggio Del Fuoco in Citta Della Pieve in Italy in (?) 2009, and no.2 at my festival in 2011. The no.2 piece knocked everyone back in their seats, it was so strong, like a shamanic challenge to totally let go of the mind whilst using it to hear the patterns. I could feel some of the audience gasping gently. After 26 years, to have no.2 premiered was deeply emotional for me. I can own up to feeling quite rough sometimes that folk do not understand my compositional discoveries, so Ale brought great comfort.
Ale came to Venice to join in a concert with me to celebrate my 60th birthday with mezzo-soprano Rosie Forbes-Butler. It was the first time we had met and it was a very joyful time.
Ronald Wildego’s painting of The Earth – gifted to me in 1976 or so
Alessandra is a unique pianist, her artistic intent is noble, strong, passionate and backed by a lighthearted, eccentric beautiful innocence. She is a great innovator in both her reasons to create, and in her manner of bringing music and people together. In summer this year she raised money to give free concerts across Italy, in most picturesque surroundings. So she is a great teacher for all of us.
She has recorded my piece Starmilk, along with her compositions and those of 3 other composers on a wonderfully other worldly album, Above The Sky.
Order the CD or download of Above The Sky from Amazon