Edoardo Gastaldi interview. Frammenti di Baudelaire
With his latest piece, "Fragments of Baudelaire", Edoardo Gastaldi leads us on a unique musical journey, inspired by the great French poet Charles Baudelaire. Edoardo, already known for his intense and reflective compositions, combines his passion for music and literature to create works that touch the heart and mind. In this exclusive interview, the composer reveals the secrets behind his new project, his relationship with his literary inspiration and his creative process, without forgetting to share more personal aspects of his life and artistic journey.
"Fragments of Baudelaire" is an intriguing title. What was the first thought that prompted you to transform Baudelaire's philosophy into music?
Good morning and thank you for dedicating this space to me and my music. I am Edoardo Gastaldi, an Italian composer and pianist of Venetian origin. In writing the piece "Fragments of Baudelaire", the original spark that led to the creation of the piece was a phrase read in the book "Lo Spleen di Parigi". The introduction to the work in fact contained a beautiful description of Baudelaire's philosophy, his search for truth, the rawest and most realistic facets, of salvation and despair. I tried to enclose all these perspectives in my music.
Your music seems to have a strong connection with emotions and introspection. How do you manage to translate such complex feelings into musical notes?
I sincerely believe that I can translate these feelings into music because it is the only way to turn them into something good and creative. Many times difficult feelings are complicated to express to the public. A musical approach can be the key to reaching a greater number of people and at the same time preserve the value of Art and feelings intact. I always try to write very serious melodies, often dark or reflective, thanks to instruments such as piano, strings, synthesizers, choirs, and pads.
Baudelaire wrote about beauty and torment. What message do you hope your piece conveys to listeners in relation to these themes?
That is a truly interesting question. What does an artist hope to convey? The truth, the deep and sincere truth, is that artists write for themselves - not so much to be understood, but to try to understand themselves. And therefore every aspect outside of me is independent of me. The wonderful and unexpected perspective in this vision of things is that each listener is free to perceive what they want, according to their mood, level of attention, preparation and cultural background. If there is a hope in me, it is to move the souls of those who listen to me: to make people reflect and act as a bridge between thought and action. If music is a means aimed at expressing, then I consider myself to be so in a certain sense as well.
Tell us about the creative process behind this composition. Did you have moments where ideas weren't flowing? How did you overcome them?
It almost seems like we've met in another time... This question is particularly appropriate, as the piece dedicated to Baudelaire has undergone many revisions over time and has been the subject of several moments of standstill. Initially the idea was born as a succession of chords on the piano. At a later time the piece was entirely reworked using strings, choirs, and synthesizers, in order to provide listeners with this feeling of torment, lament, search, and desire to "probe the sky". I hope I succeeded in this intent. The moments of stasis were overcome in a natural way, allowing time to nurture uncertainties and innovative ideas.
In your previous works, such as "Johann's Flight" and "Quadrifogli", you explored universal and personal themes. How do you think "Fragments of Baudelaire" is different?
I believe that in this piece, as in the previous ones, there are different levels of interpretation, among which a universal and a personal theme clearly emerge. The universal theme is the continuous search, the sometimes obsessive exploration of oneself and the world outside. A forensic, methodical search for answers and truth. The personal theme is a bit of a mirror: I am like Baudelaire, an artist who sees the wounds in the world and tries to heal them through Art, the only bridge between being able to live and knowing how to live. I do not consider myself capable of solving universal issues, let alone talking about them consciously, but I believe that music can generate reflective sparks in those who listen, leading people to fight more for their ideals, and to lower those barriers that prevent us from loving. The piece is in all respects similar to the previous ones and the only substantial difference lies in the compositional style, brought this time to the limits of neoclassical experimentalism.
Your music is often described as "immersive" and "experimental". What inspires you to push beyond the boundaries of the classical genre?
I believe the drive comes from a visceral passion for music. I love classical pieces, but also those that go beyond, and I try to draw inspiration from great modern artists to unify the knowledge of these styles and create innovative compositions that are equally profound, immersive and consistent. My pieces often feature secondary sonorities tending towards the dreamlike and the idea of the dream, turning the gaze to a total imaginative freedom for the listener.
Your relationship with literature is evident in this project. Do you have other authors or works that you dream of turning into music?
Thank you for this comment. I love literature very much and from week to week I discover new authors and new perspectives from which to draw inspiration. I have already turned some ideas of Baudelaire and Steinbeck into music (the latter, in a piece titled "The Winter Of Our Discontent" co-produced by Davide Fasiello and published in a compilation dedicated to a charity project - Keys for Peace). At the moment I am trying to introduce into new pieces the ideas of authors such as Whitman, Calvino, and Baricco.
If you had to describe your piece to someone who has never listened to classical or instrumental music, how would you do it?
Imagine strolling through the streets of the Montmartre district in Paris. You have a changeable mood, the weather is harsh, sometimes rainy. Imagine having conflicting feelings inside you: of love, resignation, desire to live, desire to win, desire to know, tiredness, restlessness. You walk. You walk. We walk. We stop. I stop. Condensed steam comes out of my mouth every time I breathe. Through that small cloud I can see myself - like a mirror. I see myself in that fog I created, everything is suspended, beautiful but confused. Here, my piece sounds more or less like this.
A personal aspect: what life experiences have most influenced your way of creating music?
Music and life influence each other continuously. Sometimes it is the experiences of life that influence music (perhaps a difficult situation, the perpetuation of an attitude, a significant event). Sometimes, however, it is music that directs life. Do you ever think about it? Maybe I as an artist decide to write a piece, without a particular reason, about a certain theme or a certain person (let's remember, whether we like it or not, every piece is a dedication). So the artist focuses on that idea, that concept. And consequently focuses on such people, such conceptions. And the feedback is continuous, an ellipse that always changes orbit... The beauty of life. Personally, I believe that my music has been influenced by infinite minimal decisions. It was not the result of serious events or strong sensations. Music has grown and developed naturally and continuously.
The music world is constantly evolving. What are your dreams and goals for the future? Do you have a message for your Ukrainian fans who are discovering your music?
I want to continue writing authentic music that can gently shake the hearts of people - of a single person. I would like to continue composing for films, short films, museums, and literary works. I wish you, fans, colleagues and friends, to always remain true to yourselves and to make the most of life's opportunities. Maybe a little bit of Edoardo Gastaldi's ambient music as background can help! A heartfelt thank you for this space and for taking the time to discover my music.
