RJ Lannan (New Age Reporter review) -

From Rome with Love and Passion Somewhere sandwiched between the music of ambient/electro band Balligomingo and esoteric orchestrator Paul Schwartz is Italian composer Giorgio Costantini and frankly, that’s a fine place to be. There is a singular connection among classical orchestration, movie soundtracks and contemporary instrumental music and Costantini has not only found his way over that bridge, but he has made his own distinctive pathway. His compositions are lush orchestral works with moody scores and distinctive sparking percussion.
Adagio , the opening track has a bit of Italian opera flavor, but the repast is replete with present day echoing strings and a modern dance beat. It has an expression of movement and a feeling of new found energy in the bright piano melody. It is there to get the juices flowing and it does. Tutto Amor Perduto or All the Love Lost is an extraordinary experience of Costantini’s lush orchestration with a tinge of Jan Hammer. There is a bit of synthesizer and electronic percussion, but the chill goes on. My absolute favorite track is one called Nero . Brooding, grooving and exquisite. Nero, Rome’s most notorious emperor may b e watching Rome burn or being tutored by Seneca, but he is doing it to an elaborate score with haunting voices, dramatic piano with Giorgio at his best. It is a tale as old as time. I have to admit I had the repeat button on this one for quite a while. Rain , a melancholy piano piece, is pure emotion. A haunting tune that washes away the fears and cleanses the spirit. There is a pitter-patter of solace and just a sprinkle of hope. Oh yeah, it’s sad, but beautiful sad. And for a perfect follow up, Giorgio’s Arcobaleno with its brooding solo piano is the perfect song for my rainy day. Ironically, arcobaleno is Italian for rainbow. How sad that the colors of his rainbow are mottled pastels and not vivid sky brightening stripes, but the color remains ever-present and the mood a bit somber. But don’t you just feel that way sometimes? Giorgio Costantini is a music arranger and composer living in Rome. Although he has performed on tours for the last decade, recently he has turned his considerable talents to being at times a session musician and at other times writing TV and filmscores. Costantini uses the antique classical influences of Satie and Debussy and the more modern inspiration of Michael Nyman and Ryuichi Sakamoto for his musical magic. You can play him for mood music, at a dance club or for intimate rendezvous. Regardless, Giorgio Costantini will provide the perfect musical background for the occasion. Honestly I continue to play this artist for pure enjoyment whenever I am not obliged to listen to something else. If cinematic orchestration is your forte than this recording is highly recommended. Rating: Excellent

“Pianopianoforte” is a gorgeous collection of piano-based pieces by Italian composer/arranger/pianist Giorgio Costantini. Costantini has toured extensively with Italian and international artists, worked on Italian television, produced an Italian rock band, and also works as a trainer at The Michel Hardy University of Psychology where he creates music for health, meditation, and relaxation. A native of Venice, Costantini has been based in Rome for close to twenty years. He has been researching the depth of emotions in the human soul and looking for a piano language that could be a “trait-d’union” between classical and pop music – “easy listening but very evocative.” Costantini sites Michael Nyman, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Erik Satie, Debussy, and Ludovico Einaudi as influences – a heady blend! I also hear a bit of early Yanni here and there, but that could be the Mediterranean influence. Most of the tracks are well-orchestrated using keyboards, but this is primarily a piano album.
Lyrical and melodic, several of the fourteen pieces have the dramatic sweep of a soundtrack. The opening track, “Tutto l’amor perduto,” is one of those pieces. Using a catchy rhythm and a soprano voice, this piece is both hauntingly beautiful and uplifting with guitar, strings, and piano. A great beginning! “Elegia” is an elegant piano solo with a mood of sadness and longing. “Adagio” is more symphonic, with a simple melody line on piano and lots of strings. It feels very classical, but the background rhythm brings it into the present – a very effective approach! Satie’s influence is clear in the simple grace of “Desert,” a piano solo for about half of the piece and then a full orchestration. “Nero” is one of the “big” pieces that sounds a bit like Yanni. Piano, voices, strings, and a crisp rhythm make this piece a standout. “Rain” is another favorite. Kind of a duet for piano and guitar, background strings add a wash of color. The piece begins and ends with a melancholy melody, and has a gently flowing interlude in the middle – a great piece! “La Tempesta” begins with a strong sense of turbulence, becomes calmer, rebuilds, quiets, and just ends – I really like this one, too! “Arcobaleno” is a graceful, introspective piano solo that truly comes from the heart.
Strong and evocative from start to finish, there isn’t a weak track on “Pianopianoforte.” I’m thrilled to be introduced to the music of Giorgio Costantini, and this CD is sure to be on my “favorites” list for 2006! It is available from www.pianopianoforte.com and iTunes as a download, and cdbaby.com . Sheet music is also available from Giorgio’s website as a download. Very highly recommended!

Rating: Excellent

In this album, Giorgio Costantini offers us a wide range of very melodic themes, pleasant to listen to, and full of sensitivity. There are several pieces in a symphonic key, of an almost classical nature, and others that enter the field of romantic pop music, with some subtle traits of jazz. Well wrapped into convincing arrangements and a perfect sonority, the music is very emotional, with romantic and also solemn traits, yet without falling into an excessive sweetness. The compositions are soft, but with rhythm. The piano is the soloist instrument in some themes and passages. The artist has a well defined style that no doubt will awake the enthusiasm of the followers of the best Contemporany Instrumental Music. Another important aspect that can be appreciated in this album is the great experience Giorgio has in the musical arena. All the pieces are a clear sample of the solid talent of the artist. “Adagio” has an incomparable magic. “Nero” is most remarkable because of its great strength. “Rosso” has a very special emotional warmth. “PianoPianoForte” is, no doubt, a work that cannot leave any listener unconcerned.