Għaliex? (Why?) is the title of my first album composed of funeral marches I have composed throughout the past 13 years or so. The reason behind the title is somehow related to the form of a funeral march and its resemblance to our life struggles and the way we handle such situations.
On Saturday, 29th December, the recording took place at The Box – A creative art space, and recorded by sound engineer, Alan Schembri. The wind band was formed by some of the best musicians in Malta and old and new friends I had the pleasure to meet throughout my musical journey so far.
The launching of my album is part of my own celebration from when I started playing the trumpet with my local wind band, Għaqda Mużikali Marija Bambina, Banda Vittorja of Naxxar, back 25 years ago and the launch will be held at the same band club on Sunday, 10th March at 10:00am.
During the launch, a talk will be delivered by radio host Daniel Vella on the history of maltese band recordings while music director Hermann Farrugia Frantz will be giving us an insight on the musicality and the form of the funeral march. Radio host Aaron Zahra will then interview Daniel Vella on the album itself, while Radio host Joseph Chetcuti will be presenting the whole event.
The event will take place at the Għaqda Mużikali Marija Bambina, Banda Vittorja of Naxxar‘s main hall on Sunday 10th March at 10am.
(Check out the launching video here)
Doing this album wouldn’t have been possible if not for the help of Għaqda Mużikali Marija Bambina, Banda Vittorja of Naxxar, Għaqda Mużikali San Leonardo, Kirkop and, 12th May Band & Social Club of Ħaż-Żebbuġ. Thanks also go to my mentor, Hermann Farrugia Frantz, and to the continued support of my wife Nancy Portelli Vella.
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