The Silent Screen

The charm of early-20th century films, with their lovely, grainy black and white, re-emerges in this collection of previously unreleased pieces where Giuliano Sorgini explores the theme of silent cinema. Little is known about this music -- it might have been commissioned in the late 1970s or early 80s for a RAI television show set in the 1920s, or for a radio programme on silent movies. For sure, songs like "Purty Pranks" and "Slapstick Comedy" evoke the silent era beautifully, making one think of Laurel & Hardy, or Georges Méliès' wonderful tableau vivants. In any case,"The Silent Screen" is especially notable in that it is uniquely different from Sorgini's many other works – indeed, he is best known for more esoteric/experimental compositions where he often uses synthesizers and electronic instruments. On the other hand, the nine tracks in this album were recorded and performed by Sorgini using a number of acoustic keyboards whose metallic sound is reminiscent ofearly-20th century saloon pianos (such as upright pianos, player pianos, and tack pianos) a conveys a very specific retro vibe that is rarely found in Sorgini's contemporaries.