| SUZANNE CIANI - five-time grammy-nominated composer
"Beautiful music. Bravo!
Great mood. Great compositions.
Just beautiful..."
|
"...Your touch of the keys emits a passion like none I have heard in a long time..."
 Marie Michaels - Music Beyond Words Radio
"...Some of the best moving and inspirational music I have heard this year. Not only will you get airtime on the riverbank, but you have another fan. Adagio is truly one of my new favorite tracks of yours..."
Ken Anderson - Riverotter Radio
"...Your music is wonderful!...Thank you for writing me and sharing your talent with my listeners."
Brian Douthit - Eyes Of The Poet Radio
"...Your music is a perfect fit for our station...We have listed you as a core artist."
Robert Campbell - Radio Nuages
"...I'm very impressed with your compositions! very nice!!...I'll be very glad that your music play in the station..."
Philo C. - Radio En el aire
"...we would be more than happy to play your music on our station. You've created an original style and sound that's very refreshing. Our listeners will be as impressed as we are..."
Robert A Zink, Jr - Lady Pantheress Radio
|
PianoPianoForte" - RJLannan (New Age Reporter)
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" - Kathy Parsons (Solo Piano Publications review)
“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
|
"UNIVERSOUND" - HEAT ANDREWS (Review You)
“Italian musician and composer Giorgio Costantini has been meeting with some musical success in his native country for the last few years, thanks to the proliferation of his music over iTunes and the internet. Having spent time playing in orchestras as well as the recording studio, Costantini’s tastes and abilities lend themselves very well to creating his own style of neoclassical work. Costantini states some of his work is reminiscent of artists like Bach and Chopin as well as modern artists like Tony Banks (keyboardist from Genesis) and Ryuichi Sakamoto (keyboardist from Yellow Magic Orchestra). The comparison to the latter of these musicians is particularly apt, since not only do they have a strong history of performing popular music, but both have recorded classical orchestra pieces as well. This is where Costantini’s album, Universound, finds itself, blending the sounds of classical music’s grandeur with the condensed thrill and structure of popular music.
Universound is divided into very distinct song formulas where each song is either performed on solo piano or centered on piano and accompanied by orchestration. Costantini chooses wisely to alternate between these two styles every one or two songs. This format helps greatly in creating a better flow for the album, allowing the pieces to distinguish themselves better and avoid sound-a-likes. Costantini also performed, mixed, and arranged each song himself, so if there’s any problem with the songs, the blame can be laid primarily upon him. Fortunately, Costantini’s talent is very impressive, and is witnessed as early as the first track, “Alba Mundi.”
Alba Mundi” begins with a soft piano intro and at thirty seconds in, introduces a simple drum beat and the beginnings of a synthesized string section. As the song continues, the drum fills get heavier, the sound of the strings expand, and the piano playing becomes more intense. Just as the song reaches its fullest, it condenses back down to its piano core and starts to expand again, all within three and a quarter minutes. The next track, “Life” is the other type of song, a slow, piano based classical ballad. Despite these songs lacking the lush sounds of the other style, there’s a legitimate sense of intimacy as Constantini plays emotionally throughout, hether it be the quiet passages where each note feels emotionally weighted, or when his hands are quickly playing through scales.
Of the more symphonic instrumentals, “The Emperor” is particularly riveting. As in “Alba Mundi,” the driving drum fills do wonders in adding a sense of urgency to the music and the vocal choir effects are chilling. During the sections when the backing instrumentation is subdued, Constantini’s piano playing chimes through with exceptional soloing that demonstrates his talent for playing as much as it does his talent for composition. If there’s anything negative about these tracks, it’s that their grand arrangements sometimes overshadow the stripped down, solo piano pieces.
But, many of these solo instrumentals have a unique atmosphere as well. “Jellyfish Ballet” has about as much atmosphere as a three minute piece could possibly allow. The melody that permeates the song is rich and just dark enough to simulate the ocean depths, while being simultaneously uptempo enough to convey the majestic movements of jellyfish dancing in a current. In this respect, the earlier track, “Oceano” feels like a companion piece. The tone of both is quite similar though the former feels more elegant and the latter more bleak, like the ocean itself. The simplicity of pieces such as these convey emotion in ways that a fuller sound can not do, and Constantini recognizes this ability in his music
Gio” is another piece, though more lighthearted than “Jellyfish Ballet,” that has a simple melody which conveys more in its single piano structure than it could with more. Constantini establishes the melodic theme from the beginning and continues to revisit it as the piece continues. As ornate as the sections are that follow, the music never strays too far from its base as to sound unfamiliar. Another fine example of this is “Tutto in una Notte” which begins and ends with the same notes, yet goes through a tremendous build into a lifting orchestral section during it’s middle section. This feature of Costantini’s music is perhaps what makes it so accessible and enjoyable
Universound is an incredibly majestic album of instrumentals that helps define classical music in a modern sense. Giorgio Costantini has studied the works of some of the best composers in classical and popular history, and what’s more, has the ability to do them justice with his exceptional abilities as a musician, and composer. The album title is a wonderful apt name, as it’s this kind of music that can have a degree of universal appeal with its fascinating blending of influences, and exceptional performances.
Review by Heath Andrews
Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
|
"UNIVERSOUND" - KATHY PARSONS (Mainly Piano)
What a delight it is to start 2011 with my first CD review of the year qualifying as a “Pick”! Italian multi-instrumentalist Giorgio Costantini has released his second CD of original piano-based music, and it is an absolute beauty! Costantini’s 2006 PianoPianoForte was a favorite for that year, and Universound is of the same stellar quality. A multi-faceted composer, Costantini has written and produced music for films and television as well as for other artists. The thirteen tracks on Universound are made up of seven piano solos and six orchestrated pieces, some of which have a big cinematic sweep. Whether he is playing an intimate piano solo or a majestic orchestral work, the powerful emotions conveyed are clearly identifiable and ring true with nothing forced or overly-sentimental. Melodic, passionate, and haunting are words I would use to describe this album, and then I would give it my highest recommendation.
Universound opens with “Alba Mundi” (The Dawn of the World), which begins with a lovely piano solo and then becomes more orchestrated and rhythmic. This is a great piece to start with because it demonstrates Costantini’s sensitive piano touch and then expands into a more sweeping soundtrack. It reaches a peak and then ends abruptly. Exciting! “Life” is a gracefully flowing piano solo that leaves no doubt that Costantini is a master of his chosen instrument. “Stardust” begins as a piano solo that evolves into a gently rhythmic piece with strings and percussion. Love it! “Perdutamente” (Deeply/Madly) is one of my favorites. A piano solo that becomes orchestrated as it develops, it comes from the depths of a passionate heart. “The Emperor” is one of the “big” pieces with full orchestration, choir, and piano. Almost explosive in its grandeur, it also has delicate, stirring passages - a great piece! “A Mon Frere” (Dedicated to my brother), is another favorite. A tender piano solo that expresses a very special kind of love, it’s an emotional powerhouse. “Diaro di un Giorno Perfetto” (Diary of a Perfect Day) is a light and carefree solo that dances for joy. “Oceano” is breathtaking in its haunting beauty. A slow and almost mournful solo, it expresses deep longing and a sense of loss. As someone who becomes completely mesmerized watching jellyfish, I really appreciate “Jellyfish Ballet” and its gracefully undulating movement. “La tua presenza in ogni cosa” (Your presence in everything) closes the album with another gorgeous love song. It begins and ends as a piano solo, with passionate strings in the middle sending the melody heaven-ward, and then leaving the piano to continue speaking from the heart only to end suddenly. Gorgeous.
Universound is truly an amazing album! Do your ears and your heart a favor and check it out! It is available from Amazon, CD Baby and iTunes.
Kathy Parsons - MainlyPiano.com
Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
|
|
|
|
Your music ..just simply great...siiimo!!
It touches my original emotinos of being... alive...
I Love your music..You are one of kind!
The great musician~~!!
I hope i can see u in person.. whenever I visit Roma..
keep in touch~
LYNN
|
|
|
|
What a wonderful music! Sounds really amazing! Very impressive sounds! That`s great that in the wolrd the are such talented people!
With respect-
you are very talented...it would be an honor to be your myspace friend
josh vietti
singer/songwriter
pop/rock violinist |
|
|
|
Your music is absoloutly breath taking, I will be back for more listening... WOW!!!! So so amazing. Keep it up so we all have beautiful music to listen To. Thanks for sharing your talent with us alll.
BECKY LUCAS
|
|
|
|
Greetings
Hello Giorgio,
Just a short note to say what a pleasure it is to be introduced to your music.
Your music is exceptional.
I admire your talent and skills.
I hope one day our paths will cross.
Thank you for sharing.
Kindest regards,
World Percussionist
Pamela Lynn
|
|
|
|
Hi from ILona Europa.
Body:
Giorgio if you ever need vocals I am here for you.My heart stop beating for a moment I listen to you playing.All the best ILona Europa.
|
|
|
|
Wonderful
Thanks. Went to your website. Looks great! I definitely want to spend some more time looking around.
Burnell (Nora's dad)
|
|
|
|
"i truly love your music, i am following in my fathers foot steps of playing the piano , i was going to quit until i heard your music 2am one day and it was a truly inspiration to
me to keep going thatnks alot and may your life be filled with peace and joy from the lord above , ttyl my friend
MR ERIC JETER"
|
|
|
|
Divine!
Your music is Passionate, Energetic, Divine Beauty!
Know that you have created the softest of heart smiles. =)
With love from afar, yet near in Heart,
Shannon
|
|
|
|
Kingbathmat
Ciao Giorgio,I have been listening to your music and love it. Bernie Smirnoff ( Drums Kingbathmat)
|
|
|
|
IMIsound - Independent Musicians from Italy
Ciao Giorgio,
Ascoltando la tua musica siamo rimasti davvero entusiasti e vorremo avere il piacere e l’onore di offrirti una pagina tua a IMIsound e di aggiungere un tuo brano a Radio IMIsound se questa idea ti alletta... Saremo molto felici di sentirti.
Tony Lawson
(IMIsound Admin)
|
|
|
|
HI,
Your music is fantastic!! I like all of your pieces but if I had to pick a favorite it would be Nero.
~ Lydia
|
|
|
|
WOW!!! that's all I can say about your music, I thought my ears had heard everything, just incredible that I had not heard your sounds before, "Tutto I amore Perduto"...I don't know what it means but I know I love it..ordering the cd as soon as I get off myspace.
God Bless
Omar
|
|
|
|
Gentile Giorgio,
l'intero staff di Festa della Musica è rimasto folgorato dai Suoi brani. Ci farebbe enormente piacere poterLa ospitare all'interno della nostra rassegna.
...Con entusiasmo, attendiamo notizie...
Grazie, a presto
Simone
|
|
|
|
Hi Giorgio
Hi there! I put you on my music page today because I really love your music...I came by for a listen, and noticed I was on yours!
Wow thanks!!
Have a great day...
~jennifer
|
|
|
|
Hello Giorgio,
Dropping by to share my music and space with you. Your music is Beautiful, I love - Nero. Stay blessed always and in all ways.
Yours Spiritually,
Flame.
|
|
|
|
Ciao Giorgio, è per me un onore averti tra i miei 24 top friends!...e grazie per la bella musica che ci regali!
Buon lavoro
un abbraccio
Massimo Luca
|
|
|
|
Found your page, i absolutely loved your playing. I play piano myself and hope you can add my to your friends' list:)
Thank you!
|
|
|
|
Hi there,
Really beautiful music Mr Costantini. Do you ever do films? Made your own style that reminds me of a cross between Philip Glass and Ludovico Einaudi. Could listen to this all day getting lost in the pictures you create but sadly i have work to do. 'Rain' is incredible.
All the best
Andrew
|
|
|
|
buon giorno giorgio..
sono Rose da sydney australia. Ti manda un messagio per dirti sei bravo. Anch'io suona il pianoforte, mi piace "RAIN".
I wish you all the best with your music. Your very talented. Thank you for adding me to your friends.
If you performing in Rome please let me know. I am always in Rome. And will be coming soon.
Ti bacio
Roselyn |
|
|
|
greetings
hi Giorgio,
Thank you for the add...you truely compose outstanding music. Nero is incredible...and the beginning is overwhelming. i love the key changing...i fond of songs that add one or two. do you play other instruments in your songs or just the piano?
|
|
|
|
thought you'd like to know
that I love your music so much I've added you to my top 24... for awhile. Music is one of my passions, so whenever I run across an artist's music that I really like, I give them a bit more publicity via my page. There are so MANY talented people out there, but there is only one musician I do not eever remove from my page: Eric Lowen (aka Lowen & Navarro) because he has ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), is going downhill pretty fast (though is still doing concerts for a little while longer) and has five, yes 5! twelve year old kids at home. Blessings to you and your tremendous talent!
|
|
|
|
Just listened to Rain and wow how fabulous!! Great work, simply beautiful...
Best Regards,
Karen Centre
|
|
|
|
Would you mind terribly, if I added you? I absolutely love your talent.
Take care,
Katherine
|
|
|
|
I found you through a friend of mine!
I absolutely love your music. I have discovered through much reading and educating myself in the recovery of my own mental illness, that music plays a very important part in my mood. Music has always been an important part of my life. But, when I was hospitalized for my depression, I learned in one of the therapy groups that music can help with endorphine production and can really affect the mood.
I'm glad I found you,
Brenda Shelby
|
|
|
|
You re pretty COOL!
I love your style and music!
Es
|
|
|
|
Your music is.. B E A U T I F U L
so sweet to find you here.
much love.. judy
|
|
|
|
I find your music amazing... Peace of mind and soul. My sincere compliments! :-)
PS I am listening to your 'Rain' while it is SNOWING here in Latvia. With huge fat flakes. Unbelievable!
Joce
|
|
|
|
Love your music Giorgio.
Encaptures so much emotion and feeling - you are a great musician. If your ever in the UK look me up
All the best
Mike
|
|
|
|
Hey Giorgio!
I just listened to some samples of your compositions, awesome man!!
I felt at peace listening to them :)
I would love to add some guitars to your tunes. Let me know if you need help with guitar tracks and I'll be there :)
Sincerely
/Jonas Hörnqvist
|
|
|
|
Hey there. Your music is a true inspiration. I love every aspect of it. I am teaching myself piano at the moment and I really want to get better listening to you!
Keep it up, good luck, and happy holidays.
Cheers,
-Brian Gunther
|
|
|
|
Ciao, Giorgio!!
It's sophia...I came by to listen to anything new and find Silence on your page. I have to say one word: WOW!! It's amazing. You and the piano have a true spiritual connection. I can say that I have seen many mechical pianists in my day, but I have yet to find people who are true masters--people who channel their emotions into their technique. You are one of the few that can do that...
As a matter of fact, I am teaching someone to do that. For the time being, I will teach so I can solidify my knowledge. I think this will help me become a better musician at that.
Well, I came by to listen, to see how are you dpong and to give you an update. I hope all is well and I hope to hear from you soon...
Adio for now...
Sophia... |
|
|
|
Ciao...
...Il modo leggero...soave...con cui suoni il tuo piano fa venire la pelle d'oca...Il brano "Silence (elegia)" da qualche giorno e' la colonna sonora delle mie giornate...
E' davvero stupendo come la musica possa entrare nelle vene di chi la ascolta...
Complimenti...ci tenevo a farteli in modo completo e personale..
Bacio
Sabrin@
|
|
|
|
From Huntre Wilde
Giorgio...your music is absolutely magical...I love "Rain"
Thank you for being a friend!
|
|
|
|
Fantastic Stuff
Giorgio,
Amazing work Giorgio. I am very envious of you! I know I am not suppose to be, but your sound is exactly what I have been wanting to hear. Your piano, and those strings.....very very nice. I hope some day, I will be able to reach the success you have. I just need that little bit of luck to get me there. Keep up the great work. I will be purchasing your latest cd at the first chance I get. Again....Great, Great music!!
Sincerely
Matthew
|
|
|
|
"I stopped by to listen to your RAIN for LA Sunday morning. We usually have sunshine, but today.....kind of cloudy. But no rain. :)"
Amy
|
|
|
|
Love your music Giorgio.
Encaptures so much emotion and feeling - you are a great musician. If your ever in the UK look me up
All the best
Mike
|
|
|
|
Your music is Passionate, Energetic, Divine Beauty!
Know that you have created the softest of heart smiles. =)
With love from afar, yet near in Heart,
Shannon
|
|
|
|
"i truly love your music, i am following in my fathers foot steps of playing the piano , i was going to quit until i heard your music 2am one day and it was a truly inspiration to
me to keep going thatnks alot and may your life be filled with peace and joy from the lord above , ttyl my friend
MR ERIC JETER" |
|
|
|
