Le Orme
Piccola Rapsodia Dell'Ape

1980.

Situated at the center of a stylistic change, "Piccola Rapsodia Dell'Ape" represents the culmination, if not the realization, of a quest started by Le Orme the previous year with "Florian"; a quest that finds a focal point in the study and implementation of Baroque sounds in a Rock context. While a few years prior, Prog (a genre much loved by Aldo & Co.), with its many branches that distinguished, characterized, and inevitably made it the most innovative genre of the 20th century (and beyond), had already considered this dialogue between Classical and Rock music, it had the Symphonic Rock branch. This reincarnation of the genre, besides being the most widespread, allowed themes purely classical to be played with typical Rock instrumentation. As mentioned earlier, "Piccola Rapsodia Dell'Ape" is the central canvas of a stylistic diversion (even if previously the group had already tried other paths, still remaining attached to the stylistic tenets of Prog); initiated with "Florian", then culminated with and forced by electronic sounds throughout the rest of the '80s.

The band's lineup is the same as the previous "Verità Nascoste" - "Storia o Leggenda" and "Florian", namely: Aldo Tagliapietra, Tony Pagliuca, Michi Dei Rossi, and Germano Serafin; moreover, much of the album is owed to the latter. The instrumentation, compared to the previous "Florian" is a bit different; in the record, they play: Violin, Cello, Piano, Classical Guitar, 12-string and Folk Guitar, Charango, Bouzouki, Marimba, Vibraphone, and Glockenspiel.

The first track is "Il Treno", and it already starts on the right foot; the piano fragment of the introduction is engaging, the almost tempestuous arrival of the cello is surprising, and then the aggregation of other instruments leading to the chorus is grand and sublime; all done with real class. Then as if that weren't enough, Aldo's restless voice makes this a delightful and captivating piece. "Raccogli Le Nuvole" not only allows us to understand even more the Baroque sound of the album; it introduces an unprecedented Aldo, more unleashed than ever (hard to believe, huh!), accompanied by a multifaceted sonic tapestry of plucked string instruments and velvety drum beats. "La Mia Sposa Bianca"; sweet guitar chrysanthemums, fragrant harmonies, secure and resigned singing; frame lyrics about death without falling into drama, but faced with resigned assurance. With the title-track, it seems like listening to an actual Classical piece; that said, I could end the description of this fourth track here... and yet, no! The introduction is entrusted to the piano that seeks to exorcize what we are about to hear; a fierce and dynamic drum hit supports nervous and paranoid violins; meanwhile, the initial phrasing returns and as it progresses, it speeds up more and more then plunges into the compelling game of percussion and piano, then later just percussion and strings, to then fall back again to the piano and percussion. In the middle part of the composition, one relaxes a bit; but the distorted and almost psychedelic strings await around the corner to drag us again into the madness of percussion-piano and strings, all ending abruptly like a wave crashing on a rock.

With "Charango", we return to a certain liveliness already appreciated in "Il Treno"; and also (at least I believe), this track is dedicated to the namesake instrument played by Le Orme in this album. After the brief introduction; precisely by the Charango, Aldo's voice emerges, accompanied by a backdrop of "Florian"-like Violins by Germano Serafin. "Diana who dances, the craziest in town, has brought the new prey with her: it's really him Charango, who dies like this, how cruel love, shows no mercy..." Pretty humorous lyrics, don't you think? Afterwards, the stanza seems to be reinforced by basses (to be clear, it's my impression, but... isn't this album purely acoustic?!), and Michi seems to be in gleaming form on the percussion. The sovereign calm and poetry of "Fiori Di Luce" takes us by the hand and accompanies us through melancholic landscapes with "small leaves fallen by chance further away" able to capture "light wings knowing not to return down" and reach "in those silences I have never lived". In the harmonic change; which focuses midway through the track, we find a magnificent Serafin on the violin. "Fragile Conchiglia" is for me the best track of the entire album, capable of conveying indescribable sensations and emotions. It is the longest piece of the whole record (6'24''). The introduction is characterized by a bursting violin (true lead thread throughout the track); after the "overture" (let's call it that) of Aldo, the chorus (not at all trivial) is released, and here follow magnificent visions and sensations: "Inside you, shell I will find the blue, I will discover you of pearl, you will release the foam. Cold, starry nights, will invent a thousand songs, and golden sands will warm up again like this..."; intones Aldo. Afterwards, the initial theme returns, ending the track with a beautiful violin high note. "Buona Notte" is a Folk lullaby, sung by Aldo alone, accompanied by the guitar; a track worthy of the band's name, with a melody with a poetic aftertaste.

"Goodnight, goodnight to you. Goodnight, goodnight to you..."

We have reached the end. In my opinion, this album represents an isolated case in Le Orme's discography, perhaps even more than "Florian". While "Florian" has gone down in history as the album of stylistic change for Aldo & Co., "Piccola Rapsodia Dell'Ape" tends to keep the banner of the new style higher, perhaps not as advanced research compared to the previous album, but as a return to "old" sounds mixed with the new frontiers explored by the band.

I dedicate this review to Germano Serafin, who unfortunately left us in far away 1992 due to a severe illness.

Ah! I almost forgot... Be careful not to get stung by the Bee!!!

Tracklist:

1) Il Treno

2) Raccogli Le Nuvole

3) La Mia Sposa Bianca

4) Piccola Rapsodia Dell'Ape

5) Charango

6) Fiori Di Luce

7) Fragile Conchiglia

8) Buona Notte