We love every artist we work with – but there are a select few who elicit true excitement from the team here at The Ark when their name appears in our inbox. Galliano Sommavilla is one such individual. We’ve had the distinct pleasure of writing about the music written by this Australian composer for several years, his instrumental work standing truly in a league of its own. An album with the title Instrumental Music...From the Heart certainly sets grand expectations, but we find that once again Galliano delivers authentic, moving, and truly inspiring music track after track.
HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…
Opening with A Kind Heart, we are immediately submerged in an ethereal, mysterious soundscape full of bird-like chittering and effortlessly smooth melody. The track is both gentle and intentional, moving through each section with grace and purpose. And at over eight minutes long, there is plenty of time for the listener to get lost on this spellbinding sonic journey that feels like a wondrous stroll through an enchanted forest.
Classic ballad elements introduce us to A Peaceful Outcome, with its rich string arrangement and delicate piano melody. Something these first two tracks both implement is the brilliant use of space. Instead of layers upon layers of sound like we find in so many instrumental works, Galliano utilizes a much more stripped down approach, and this simplicity gives the songs room to breathe. There are plenty of moments to reflect on these impactful compositions as you are listening to them, and that kind of restraint is a remarkable skill. In this track, for example, everything instrument is perfectly digestible, from the light percussion to the warm saxophone. It’s as easy-listening as it gets.
Fully living up to its name, A Tender Moment feels electric and romantic in its execution. The infusion of a modern beat under swanky brass is hypnotic, and is only amplified by the angelic female vocalizations that appear as the track progresses. The production seems to ebb and flow within the various passages, and the shifting dynamics pull you in and keep you engaged throughout.
We also love Follow Your Dreams for its upbeat, inspirational energy. The rapid-fire percussion under swells of orchestra strings radiates feelings of focus and intensity, and each subsequent section seems to embody a certain emotion that might arise on the path indicated by the song’s title – moments of tension, of blissful resolution, of inquisitiveness, of uncertainty, and of confidence.
OUR FAVORITE TRACK…
Galliano is an expert at creating entire worlds within his individual songs, and Mystic Forest is perhaps the finest example of this on this project. We see themes from the album’s opening track represented here, but this time with a deeper and more profound expression – the bass richer, the melody more intriguing. Galliano creates not only passages that imitate the sounds of nature, but also more complex elements that are reminiscent of the way breathtaking natural wonders make you feel. He develops feelings of wonder, curiosity, and peace with his expressive and animated production choices that fully immerse us in the scenes he so easily creates. This ability is something we’ve seen time and again on his work, and this gift is perhaps the main feature that allows his music to be so consistently memorable and successful – it’s just too easy to get completely lost in his compositions in the best way.
IN CONCLUSION…
The work of Galliano Sommavilla is endlessly impressive. Each track on Instrumental Music...From the Heart is like a cinematic adventure, painting stunning pictures without a single word over and over. This album is perfect for genuine relaxation, delivering an absolutely effortless listening experience that is still brimming with meaning and emotion. Fans of true brilliance in effective, compelling musical composition will no doubt feel right at home on this stunning work of sonic art, as they will on nearly all of Galliano’s work.
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BELOW: Listen to Instrumental Music...From the Heart and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Galliano Sommavilla by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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