Pianist and aerospace engineer Leonardo Barilaro latest release ‘Genesis’ is a progressive vision, tied to a dreamy and opulent soundscape that screams cinematics despite a soft and subtle overtone in its execution. The record has a self-described fractal inspiration that’s tied to the entire ethos and conception of creation itself. Barilaro sees creation as where similar patterns repeat on increasingly smaller scales and can model chaotic events like crystal structure and galaxy evolution. There exists an operatic element to ‘Genesis’, one perhaps better described as a space opera soundtrack for some sort of voyage or odyssey into the dark unknown depths of nothingness around us all. Combining elements of classical with progressive rock, the resulting instrumental record is nothing short of awe inspiring.
There’s a breath-taking piano base to the entire record, giving a level of atmospheric depth and dimension that the rest of the album’s sonic elements rest on. The artwork is a creation of visual artist and scientist Antonio Polidano Vella, while the mixing and mastering were done at ACSY Sound studio. ‘Genesis’ takes you on an exploratory journey of aural imagery that places intense focus and measured concentration front and centre of its ethos. From teh slight pitter patter of ‘exploring the dry valley’ to the more lustrous and grandeur of ‘500 years back in the Future’, you’re taken on an intricate and dexterous sonic expedition that has you spellbound throughout.
The project is far from lengthy, running at just over four minutes in length totally. It’s staggered across four episodic pieces that each uncover a different style and sound.
Leonardo started to play the piano 32 years ago and had full realization of this artistic marathon in
2006. He plays almost daily, allowing himself to hone his craft above and beyond the realms of the normal.