Ludovico Einaudi
Taranta Projecttaranta
Ponderosa Music & Art (dist. Harmonia Mundi)
No cat. no.

In its deep southern regions, Italy is hot and dry and home to tarantulas. Legend has it that if you’re bitten by one, the only way to counteract the effects of its venom is to dance frantically–hence the emergence of the musical form known as the taranta. Composer Einaudi Ludovici has long been fascinated by this music, and for this album he brought together musicians from around the world and blended elements of West African and Turkish music into traditional taranta melodies and songs, with absolutely delightful results. You’ll hear one-stringed fiddles, electric guitars, koras, and a variety of other instruments alongside traditional Italian songs, and all of it fits together seamlessly but also sometimes surprisingly. Highly recommended.