Review: Nistri – Panichi ‘Vittorio Nistri Filippo Panichi’
When two brilliant, visionary minds from vastly different musical backgrounds come together for the first time, it marks the start of an extraordinary creative collaboration infused with boundless potential. This pivotal moment is charged with a palpable sense of anticipation, an electric current of possibility sparking between the two artists as they prepare to intertwine their singular musical energies.
They are not merely two individuals, but a fusion of unique creative visions, diverse life experiences, and distinct musical foundations that will coalesce to birth something truly remarkable. In the case of Tuscany musicians, Vittorio Nistri and Filippo Panichi, this fateful meeting was one of serendipitous discovery and mutual fascination. Nistri, is a well-known musician, composer and founding member of the politically charged psychedelic rock bands Ossi and Deadburger, among others. While Panichi, on the other hand, is a historian, film critic and acclaimed experimental solo artist with an astounding nineteen releases under his belt conveying a variety of sounds of high perception of improvised drone, ethereal noise, extreme experimentalism, ambient up to a shoegaze sound filtered with psych space sounds.
Though their musical circles initially appeared worlds apart, the two were captivated by each other’s work, recognising a kindred spirit in their shared affinity for mind-expanding, avant-garde sonic explorations. Driven by this creative kinship, Nistri and Panichi decided to experiment together a few years ago, meeting at the small studio of the ‘pirate radio’ Radio Wombat in an occupied social centre. Armed with only a few instruments and a modest amplifier, the two embarked on an unplanned, improvisational session as a duo – a live, on-air performance that would ignite the spark for an ongoing, deeply immersive collaboration.
The resulting music was a revelation, a kaleidoscopic explosion of psychedelic chamber music with experimental adventurous sonic textures that seamlessly blended their distinct musical foundations into a captivating new whole. From this fateful encounter emerged the beginnings of a partnership that saw them releasing in 2022 their first collaborative work Aibofobia, a twenty-one-minute sonic odyssey that blends elements of ambient, space and noise into a captivating and immersive sonic landscape.
The collaboration would ultimately blossom into their full-length debut album that’s a testament to the transformative power that arises when two visionary minds unite. This record is a groundbreaking piece of work that has cemented its place as one of the most significant contributions to the new contemporary experimental music landscape. A great result of a remarkable collaborative effort between an array of talented musicians from the vibrant Tuscan experimental classical scene.
Drawing upon a diverse ensemble of classical instruments – the resonant double bass, the emotive viola, the plaintive clarinet, the expressive saxophone, the soulful cello – and of course the various keyboards and DIY electronic instruments manipulated by Nistri and Panichi, each track on this album is imbued with a cerebral and perceptive quality.
The seamless integration of these traditional instruments, wielded by virtuosic performers, creates a rich, multilayered sonic tapestry that defies easy categorisation, blending elements of classical, avant-garde, and experimental music into a singular statement. Through their innovative compositional approach and deft interplay between the musicians, the album’s creators have crafted a work that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply evocative, inviting the listener to engage with the music on a profound, almost transcendent level.
the artists display a masterful command of texture, atmosphere and emotional resonance, creating a listening experience that is as thought-provoking as it is immersive…
This captivating debut takes listeners on a sonic journey through the complex, avant-garde world of contemporary electronic and chamber music. Inspired by the artists’ own vulnerable thoughts and transcendental spiritual and physical energies, each of the nine tracks is a meticulously crafted exploration of sound and emotion. The dark intensity and cinematic atmosphere evoked throughout can at times recall the pioneering works of composers like John Cage, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Ennio Morricone, whose scores for Fellini and Argento films have become the stuff of legend.
Yet the music here is wholly unique, weaving together a tapestry of thought-provoking, imaginative, and heartbreaking storytelling. The slow-burning standout Maya Deren Blues is a particularly mesmerising highlight, merging a penetrating, enchanting melancholy with the pumping, playful electro-kraut rhythms of the Kraftwerk Ralf Und Florian era Pipistrelli Sul Frigorifero (Bats Above The Refrigerator).
Elsewhere, the listener is captured in worlds of enduring melancholy and astonishing inner serenity, as on the deep, baroque medieval soundscape of La Costante Eleastica (The Elastic Constant), or plunged into the tragic, cinematic complexity of Giulietta Sotto Spirito (Juliet In Spirit), a pun on Fellini’s 1965 cult film Giulietta Degli Spiriti (Juliet Of The Spirits) that seems designed to strike fear into the faint of heart, while the closer Prove Tecniche Di Solitudine (Technical Tests of Solitude), explores the artists moments of solitude.
This release stands as a testament to the boundless creativity and artistic vision of the Tuscan experimental classical scene, pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the realm of contemporary music and leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape. Throughout this profound and challenging work, the artists display a masterful command of texture, atmosphere and emotional resonance, creating a listening experience that is as thought-provoking as it is immersive.
The album’s unique release format truly sets it apart, showcasing the artist’s commitment to delivering a high-quality, immersive listening experience. Distributed through the eclectic Italian label Snowdonia Dischi, it’s available in two distinct formats – a 3-panel digipack CD and a deluxe gatefold sleeve housing double vinyl. The vinyl pressing is engraved on three sides, a striking design choice that not only maximizes the available space but also imbues the physical format with an air of exclusivity and craftsmanship.
Complementing the meticulous vinyl presentation, both the CD and LP editions include a magnificent illustrative glossy booklet, inviting listeners to dive deeper into the album’s thematic world through vivid imagery and insightful liner notes. The inclusion of a download code further enhances the value proposition, enabling fans to seamlessly integrate the music into their digital libraries alongside the tangible formats.
Label: Snowdonia Dischi
Vittorio Nistri: Facebook
Filippo Panichi: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram
Scribed by: Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Caccamo
