What inspired you to transform the Gospel narrative into a musical journey for two violins?
This cycle of twelve pieces for two violins represents a meditative and spiritual journey through the main episodes of the life of Jesus Christ, from the Nativity to the Resurrection. The atypical formation (only two violins) evokes an intimate dimension, encouraging listening and reflection.
How did you approach capturing the intimate emotions and sacred moments of Christ’s life through instrumental music?
We approached this work by reviving the madrigal style of the ancients, where every musical element is designed to shape an experience that combines faith, art, and intellect. Instrumental music thus becomes a vehicle for intimate emotions and sacred moments, capable of spiritually suggesting what cannot be expressed in words. This is accompanied by strong graphic and musical symbolism: in the pages of the score, the melodic lines draw the cross, Mount Calvary, or the ascension, making visible what the music evokes internally. A further distinctive element is the cyclical structure of the work: every three pieces there is a canon, like a Trinitarian breath that marks the rhythm of the entire journey. It is a tribute to the great Bach tradition and the art of counterpoint, understood not only as a compositional technique, but as a form of meditation and spiritual order.
The album draws from centuries of sacred music tradition, which influences shaped the compositions most significantly?
The composition of the album has been significantly influenced by the great masters: Bach, Handel, Palestrina, etc. Alongside these historical roots, the album also features contemporary influences linked to the musical sensibility of our time. Modern languages, timbres, and modes of expression intertwine with tradition, creating a dialogue between past and present.
What were the biggest challenges of conveying such a profound story using only two violins?
Playing Jesus of Nazareth means immersing oneself in the narrative of the Gospel through the language of sound, seeking to bring out not only the melodic lines and counterpoints, but also the light, the tension, the breath of what is being told. From a technical point of view, it was delicate to reproduce certain sound effects on the violin and make each picture coherent from a timbral point of view. The fusion between the two instruments must be perfectly balanced to keep the harmony alive and bring out the emotional tension of each passage.
What do you hope listeners take away from “Jesus of Nazareth” on both a musical and spiritual level?
With this album, our goal is to reach people and artists by telling a story of love and hope. Because, after all, the essence of the Christian message is simple and powerful: “do not be afraid.”
Photo Credit: I Musici Gemelli.