'Blackbirds and the Sun of October' by pianist and composer Federico Albanese is inspired by his native Monferrato in northern Italy, where the album was entirely written and recorded. 'It's an album about homecoming, but above all about origins and heritage', says the pianist, composer and producer. After living in Berlin for several years, Federico Albanese returned to his homeland with his family in autumn 2022 - to a picturesque landscape and with the feeling, as he says, of being 'deeply connected to this place'. This proved to be inspiring in many ways. 'There is a feeling of freedom that comes with returning and flows into everything you do - including music'. His compositions reflect the deep, natural beauty of his surroundings - the colours, the wildlife, the changing seasons, but also the rich history and the many myths and legends that have been passed down from generation to generation over millennia. 'This place breathes history', he adds. 'It's very romantic in that sense'. While his previous albums often revolved around memories, inner worlds, and imaginary landscapes, 'Blackbirds and the Sun of October' draws from the concrete, physical world around him - history, nature and beauty. 'I feel the freedom in this music', he says, 'and there's more positivity in it. I notice that something is different than before'.
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