WITH ANGELA TURSI

London, 2020

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During this interview, I change seat, place myself in front of another artist and ask him the questions I wish people asked me. Today, I speak to Italian composer and pianist Angela Tursi; a brief chat about her career and her latest release Journey. 

Angela, tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am an Italian musician based in London. I am a pianist and a singer, and music has always been my passion — my whole life! 

Now, what about Journey? Tell us about your latest project.

Journey was inspired by my trips around Europe. My own journey started in 2018 when I moved to London. Since that moment, thanks music, I had the chance of playing in many places around Europe. I saw different cultures, different cities and I started to compose music thinking about these moments in my life. But Journey is also a description of my personal life; each composition is a place, a picture of what I experienced.

Tell us about your influences, the ones that have shaped your musical personality for instance.

I am inspired by many different musicians such as Debussy, Satie, but also Glass. I have always been attracted by different musicians, and by different kinds of music. 

What have you learned from studying jazz? How does that influence your composing?

I think jazz has taught me what freedom in music means, and it pushes me to create music; improvisation is composition in a way.

How does the work you do as a singer influences your composition? Would you want to write a piece for choir or involving voices?

I think it influences the melodies in my compositions. And yes, I think that once I am ready, I will write music for choir.

Tell us about how you perceive the relationship between music and the other arts — especially visual arts. 

I think that there is a connection between all of the arts. For instance, my first album Blue Paintings was based on the connection between music and the colour blue. Also, in the past, I performed music in collaboration with photographers, actors, painters and dancers. I love this kinds of show because I think the audience is deeply involved in the performance. 

So, after Journey, what’s next?

Writing new music. Maybe songs about women… 

Thanks very much Angela.

Bouncing on Angelas words; read more about the relationship between music and colours in my article of the same name. Read my review of Journey.