Manhattan Suite is a musical composition dedicated to New York and to the historical, social and architectural facets of its most famous neighbourhood. This work was written in 2008 after the reading of Delirious New York, an essay by the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas analyzing the city, mostly its architecture and structure, from its foundation until modern times. Manhattan is not only history but also frenzy, movement, tradition and culture. Everything there has a story to tell and Manhattan Suite tries to translate these stories into music. The composition is organized in five movements where different musical genres, notably jazz and classical music, are blended. 1. “Prelude” is dedicated to the origin of Manhattan, when the imposing buildings we know today did not exist, not even in the imagination of the first New Yorkers. 2. “Rockefeller Center” is about one of the most famous places in Manhattan, where the Radio City Music Hall is located. This building is known for the geometric contrast between the rectangular outline of the exterior and the semi-circular shapes of the interior, e.g. the stage. These contrasts are mirrored in the alternation of three beats and four beats tempo at the end of the main theme. The peaceful atmosphere is interrupted by the pain inflicted to the city by the tragedy of the Twin Towers. The sorrow is expressed by 3. “Ground Zero”, the only movement which is entirely classical. New Yorkers overcame the grief relying on their faith and their culture. 4. “Revival Blues” takes inspiration from the cultural and music heritage of North America. The last movement, 5. “Skyscrapers”, is inspired by New York’s iconic skyline and its solemnity, in turn inspired by classical architecture. Ten years after the first performance for piano solo, held in important locations, such as Steinway Hall (at the time located in 57th Street), Manhattan Suite is back, this time rearranged for a jazz trio, thus enhancing and highlighting the tone quality. Leaving Manhattan, but staying within American traditions, a jazz piece such as All the things…I am cannot be left out. Barile takes inspiration from Kern’s composition, creating his own arrangement, where echoes of Bach’s and Haendel’s styles resound. The last part of the project is Coffee Street, composed by Vito Di Modugno and lending its name to the jazz trio made up of Barile and his former teachers.
Translation by Cristina Campanile
Carlo Maria Barile: Manhattan Suite … and other Stories
