New album by The Rite Duo
After the rewarding experience of the album «Di Fontane e Pupazzetti», dedicated to Italian composers, we are now working on a new and ambitious project: an album inspired by dance, ranging from the formal elegance of the Renaissance as revisited by Respighi to the tribal intensity of Stravinsky’s dance music. Igor Stravinsky’s «The Rite of Spring», the renowned ballet of 1913, is one of the works that truly changed the course of twentieth-century music history. Its complex rhythmic patterns, innovative sonorities, and almost primordial energy make it a universally acknowledged turning point. In the four-hand piano version, these qualities emerge in a direct and immediate way: rhythmic and melodic structures become clearer, allowing the listener to fully appreciate the sophistication of Stravinsky’s compositional language. Ottorino Respighi’s «Ancient Airs and Dances for Lute, Vol. 2» originated as an elegant orchestral setting of Renaissance music. The four-hand piano arrangement highlights the original grace and refinement of these pieces, offering a more intimate and evocative listening experience, in which ancient melodies take on new life through Respighi’s modern sensibility. Through the charm of chamber intimacy, these works offer an opportunity to encounter two very different worlds: on the one hand, the innovative and compelling force of Stravinsky; on the other, the elegant and poetic vision of Respighi.
An orchestral dance at the four-hand piano
The name of our duo, The Rite Duo, is inspired by Igor Stravinsky’s celebrated ballet The Rite of Spring, which was the first project undertaken by our ensemble and the reason we decided to perform together. Since then, we have realized several projects, including one dedicated to Italian music by early twentieth-century composers. From that experience grew our deep admiration for another great composer, Ottorino Respighi, whose music is remarkable for its expressive depth. We have already recorded one of his significant works, «Le Fontane di Roma», and developed a profound passion for his art. Yet we still felt the desire and the need to reach an important milestone in our career: the recording of The Rite of Spring and Ancient Airs and Dances for Lute, Vol. 2. With this project, we aim to celebrate two masterpieces that define our musical and chamber identity, each uniquely connected to the world of dance and deeply significant for our duo.
Producing an album requires a significant investment
Recording a new album involves many moving parts: the sound engineer, editing and mastering, the piano technician who ensures the instrument is always perfectly tuned, the cost of renting the studio, artwork for posters and album covers, copyright and publishing fees, and more. To ensure a high-quality product, a significant financial investment is necessary. Yet, given the ambitious nature of the chosen repertoire, we are committed to achieving the best possible result.