Series, Soundtrack and Noir Stories: this can summarize the album by Floraleda Sacchi (Harp) and Damiano Grandesso (Sax).

Series Noir is a collection of celebrated soundtracks from popular films, TV and web series with original arrangements which include a subtle use of electronics, colouring this album with an especially engaging patina.

The album opens with two pieces by Hans Zimmer – an aggressive, crunchy version of The Dark Knight (Batman) theme and the solemn Chevaliers de Sangreal song from the film The Da Vinci Code and its sequels.

In some tracks, the breaths in the sax and the clacking of the instrument’s mechanics create nostalgia of the sea (The Danish Girl by Alexandre Desplat) and a rhythmic base (Dexter by Daniel Licht).

The harp often has paper or metal inserted between its strings or left in its purity, as in the intense pieces by Max Richter (themes of Black Mirror, The Leftovers, Shutter Island). Rubbing on the strings or on the soundboard, creates murmurs on which famous pieces such as The Rains of Castamere from Game of Thrones by Ramin Djawadi unfold.

During London Calling (Star Trek Into Darkness) by Micheal Gioacchino, the sax turns into a disturbing background buzz, while the harp is transformed into an unreal harpsichord that draws touches of light in the neo-baroque Vocalise by Wojciech Kilar .

Even if the themes accompany obscure stories, thrillers and bloody scenes; they curiously sound extremely emotional, delicate and sometimes even sexy…

Let yourself be inspired by Series Noir and, track after track, by the merciless quotes from the movies…

Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up. /Batman, The Dark Knight

What really matters is what you believe. /The Da Vinci Code

No one had to tell me anything. I know what I am. /Twilight

Mankind was born on Earth. It was never meant to die here. /Interstellar

We only see two things in people: what we want to see and what they want to show us. /Dexter

Darkness is coming. /Star Trek Into Darkness

He wants to lock me up. /The Danish Girl

We put black over mirrors during times of mourning so we wouldn’t think about ourselves. /Black Mirror

He knew that it was possible to fall and just keep falling. /The Leftovers

And so he spoke, that Lord of Castamere, but now the rains weep o’er his hall, with no one there to hear. /Game of Thrones

Love says: Remember, I am wind. You are an ember I ignite. /The Golden Age

If we dig precious things from the land, we will invite disaster. /Koyaanisqatsi

Maybe there are some things on this Earth not to know. /Shutter Island

Nothing is more reliable than a man whose loyalties can be bought with hard cash. /The Ninth Gate

TRACKLIST:

01. Dark Knight / Batman
02. Chevaliers de Sangreal / The Da Vinci Code
03. The Meadow / Twilight
04. Day One / Interstellar
05. Blood Theme / Dexter
06. London Calling / Star Trek
07. Lost Blood / The Danish Girl
08. On Reflection / Black Mirror
09. Departure / The Leftovers
10. The Rains of Castamere / Game of Thrones
11. Embers / The Golden Age
12. Façades / Koyaanisqatsi
13. This Bitter Earth / Shutter Island
14. Vocalise / The Ninth Gate

CREDITS:

Recording: Stefano Mariani @ Stripe Studio, Milan, Italy

Mix and Mastering: Filadelfo Castro, Como, Italy

All arrangements by Floraleda Sacchi

Photos: Marco Coppola

Graphics: Sabrina D’Alessandro

Distribution: NAXOS

https://youtu.be/yG5l6h0wc40