Review by Matthew Forss, December 2011
Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
The improvisational and instrumental delights of Malta’s music master, Renzo Spiteri, are steeped in a creative and groundbreaking pool of talent rarely observed in instrumental world music. The lack of vocals do not deter from the musical messages of solitude, grace, spirit, and meditation. The instrumental music created from relatively few instruments is most remarkable.
Renzo serves up a chilling, mysterious, and forward-thinking musical journey that deserves to be a top spot on the world music/new age charts. Silence Sounds and Spaces echoes similarities with the musical inventions of Robert Rich or Steve Roach, but in the end, it is Renzo Spiteri that turns history into music.
SILENCE, SOUNDS AND SPACES
An aural journey through Neolithic Sites of the Maltese Islands,
featuring unique on-site recordings
Silence, Sounds and Spaces is Renzo Spiteri’s new concept album that defines his creative journey across a selection of the most prominent archaeological sites spread across the Maltese Islands, encompassing music inspired by these sites and exploiting some of their unique natural sonic timbre.
The result is an engaging music creation that draws listeners in to Renzo’s personal musical universe. Featuring unique on-site recordings and through the use of his extraordinary world of sounds, Renzo conjures powerful images of these stunning historic sites where time stands still.
Review of Renzo's performance SILENCE SOUNDS AND SPACES by Albert G. Storace, published in The Times of Malta, 23-Nov-11
When Renzo Spiteri presents his music it is quite an event.
This very versatile and creative musician goes beyond being a highly specialised and accomplished percussionist. He is always on a quest for meaning behind and beyond the world of percussive sound.
An acute awareness of space and the significance of silence, together with a keen interest in our ancient heritage resulted in two evenings of music, the second one under review here, inspired by our islands’ rich Neolithic past.
Renzo to take part in YAMAHA piano/bass/drum performance workshop
Three of Malta’s finest musicians, Mark A. Attard, Simon Sammut and Renzo Spiteri, will be joining musical talents during a showcase piano, bass and drum performance workshop that will be held at Olimpus Music of Msida (Malta). The event, which is free of charge, will be staged on Saturday 17th December 2011 at 10.30 a.m., and will also feature the much anticipated release of the album Bassic Attitude, a collection of original compositions for solo bass by Simon Sammut.
Further information about the event is available from Olimpus Music of Msida (tel: 2133 2093; online: www.olimpusmusic.com)
Renzo Spiteri is a creative musician renowned for speaking multiple languages with his hands. He collaborates on a stunning number of projects that undertake to bring together a wide range of musicians, as well as solo projects where there is a spirit of enquiry, seeking to discover how variant rhythms and sounds work together.
His artistic versatility and passion for the creative use of sound has over the years allowed him to develop fresh musical possibilities and unlimited modes of expression. He aptly merges his role of musician with that of composer, musical director and producer, acting as a strong linking point between the music itself and other genres of artistic expression, be it a film, dance choreography, theatre production, literature recital or visual installation.
His artistic sensitivity, intrinsic musicality, stylistic breadth and penchant for non-traditional approaches to composition provide the perfect ingredients in creating a solid technique and vocabulary allowing for the creation of innovative multimedia performance work.
Renzo is an endorsed artiste for Toca Percussion, Paiste Cymbals & Gongs, Yamaha Drums, Gibraltar Hardware, and Schlagwerk Percussion and is supported by Olimpus Music (Malta).
