Guys I found a masterpiece and it would be unfair on my part if I don’t introduce Chrysalis by Leonardo the Space Pianist to you, I am sure you are wondering why anybody would want to call themself a space pianist, hold on tight because I am going to share with the reason.
Leonardo the Space Pianist performs under that moniker because he is actually an aerospace engineer! Yet that didn’t stop him form following his passion because his music has being to space twice and he is current working on going onboard the International Space Station for the third time with the ASTROBEAT project next year.
During a recent interview with Mister Styx of Musicarenagh the multi-talented artist revealed a lot about his personal experience and also shared his personal mantra, something that keeps him going, interview Leonardo the Space Pianist shared some of his interest outside music and some of the challenges he faces on his musical journey.
Leonardo is a pianist who has spent years of his life perfecting his craft, although his music mostly doesn’t contain any vocals just like Chrysalis but listening to it you can feel the emotions behind every keynote he plays.
“Chrysalis is a story of resilience, a space music composition that depicts the concept of a chrysalis, a vessel for transformation, through a vivid musical landscape.”
Says Leonardo the Space Pianist, he continued to say
“Imagine a dimly lit stage adorned with a mysterious cocoon, barely discernible in the soft glow. The sounds evoke the cocoon’s nascent awakening.”
Listen to Chrysalis below
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What is your stage name
Leonardo the Space Pianist
Is there a story behind your stage name?
I am a pianist and an aerospace engineer! My music went to Space already twice, next year will go onboard the International Space Station for the third time with the ASTROBEAT project and I am working every day on the Dream I had when I was 12 years old, playing the piano being in Space.
Where do you find inspiration?
From the Universe and studying it in its different forms.
What was the role of music in the early years of your life?
I discovered my passion for music and the piano when I was 6 years old. I created my first compositions when I was 7 years old, since then I never stopped. My mantra is Nullo die sine nota, not a day without a note. Music definitely is shaping me in becoming who I was.
Are you from a musical or artistic family?
No, but my father is really passionate about music and was fundamental in inspiring me to start playing the piano when I was a kid.
Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry?
Jordan Rudess, Dream Theater’s keyboardist and a world-class artist that I consider one of my Mentors.
How did you learn to sing/write/to play?
I have a classical background, I got my degree at the Music Conservatory in Italy, I studied also composition for few years and the experience on stage and studying by myself taught me a lot during my journey.
What was the first concert that you ever went to and who did you see perform?
I don’t really remember, I was too young.
The first one I have memory of is probably the concert of the classical pianist Filippo Gamba, winner of the ‘Premio Venezia’ piano competition, when I was 6-7 years old, so in 1990 I guess.
How could you describe your music?
I can describe it as…space-y! It has cinematic vibes, often experimental/avant-garde and with a nuance of melancholy.
Describe your creative process.
It is very difficult to summarize in few words, since it is a…process. Multi-layered, with a constellation of parameters constantly changing. The human soul is extremely variable and this influences everything we create.
Everything can be a source of inspiration that later on is filtered and processed into a ‘final product’, but at the same time I can say that not necessarily you need something or someone to inspire you to create something from zero.
What is your main inspiration?
Space and the legacy of huge Artists.
What musician do you admire most and why?
S. Bach, because he is the Immortal God of Harmony (cit.) and he will never die.
Did your style evolve since the beginning of your career? Of course…and a lot! It would be impossible the opposite during the artistic journey.
Who do you see as your main competitor?
Probably Son Goku.
What are your interests outside of music?
I do not perceive something as ‘outside’ my interest for music and space, I perceive everything connected, like: freediving, photography and videography, Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
If it wasn’t a music career, what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t building my own path as the Space Pianist, probably I would have done the time traveller.
What is the biggest problem you have encountered in the journey of music?
The human nature and untuned pianos.
If you could change one thing in the music industry, what would it be?
Higher streaming royalties, i.e. having a more equitable and fair system for artists. Implementing a more transparent and artist-friendly compensation system, where artists are fairly paid for their work, would empower more musicians, above independent artists.
Why did you choose this as the title of this project?
My new release is a story of resilience, a space music composition that depicts the concept of a Chrysalis, a vessel for transformation, through a vivid musical landscape.
Imagine a dimly lit stage adorned with a mysterious cocoon, barely discernible in the soft glow. The sounds evoke the cocoon’s nascent awakening.
Recorded on the ethereal Zanta ZB 200 grand piano, literally a “space piano” for its refined sound and aesthetic qualities, this composition takes on a journey of profound metamorphosis.
What are your plans for the coming months?
I will be working in developing further my main project ‘Music from Space’, starting with the upcoming mission to Space, ASTROBEAT.
Do you have any artistic collaboration plans.
Nothing is fully defined for the new year yet, I recently collaborated with a dancer and aerial artist for the release ‘Holo Black’ and probably I will work on a project to disseminate Space history knowledge with a TV journalist. Besides this I will mainly focus on structuring important collaborations in the field of space art for the ASTROBEAT mission.
What message would you like to give to your fans?
Do your part to move the statistical average of the human race from ugly to awesome and look up there.
