Marini – A Journey Through Sculptural Soundscapes

Marini is a tribute to the Museo Marino Marini, a space that celebrates the raw emotional artistry of one of Italy’s great modern sculptors. The museum’s elegant modern design complements Marini’s bold, expressive works, which explore themes of humanity, strength, and fragility.

Concept Development (3rd of 10)

The museum’s physical layout played a central role in shaping the piece. Its winding staircase feels like a symbolic journey, leading visitors through different chapters of Marini’s life and art.

Initially, I struggled to capture the diverse emotional range of Marini’s works, from the solemnity of le donne to the power of i cavalieri and the anguish of i guerrieri. The turning point came when I decided to use the museum’s stairways as a structural and conceptual guide. This gave the piece a sense of exploration and discovery, mirroring the museum’s design.

Composing the Piece (2nd of 10)

Composing Marini required balancing modernity with accessibility. The piece opens with low, dissonant chords, reflecting the muscular energy of Marini’s forms. Each section corresponds to a thematic area, with transitions marked by a recurring atonal motif. This approach allowed the music to capture the bold contrasts in Marini’s sculptures while remaining cohesive.

Final Thoughts

Marini was the first piece I composed for Portraits of Florence, inspired by a conversation with the museum’s curator. While it was technically challenging, it set the tone for the rest of the album. Through this piece, I hope to share the awe and wonder I felt while traversing the museum’s winding paths and exploring Marini’s emotive sculptures.