Walt Ribeiro
I.I (www.waltribeiro.net)
Reviewed by Rusty Pipes

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Lack of an orchestra didn't stop this young classical composer from New Jersey, Walt Ribeiro. Ribeiro began writing I.I, his 12 movement opus for 80 musicians, in March of 2005. He completed it a year later but had no one to perform it, so he self-produced this CD using orchestral sampling software. Call it Garage Classical, and it's damn good.

Though he claims influences from Frank Zappa and Pearl Jam, I.I is a moodily romantic symphony that is more, er, classic classical than anything rock. With melodies derived from a simple four note progression, the fact that it's mostly synthesizers instead of traditional strings, horns and percussion is not readily apparent, but it is perfectly enjoyable nonetheless and it will grow on you with successive listenings. The feel is more akin to a film soundtrack, something Ribeiro's looking into, but first he's working on a follow-up CD to expand on the themes he’s started here. Ribeiro says "the (next) score is bigger, longer, more developed, and more melodic - I'm very excited about it."

As far as live performances, so far Ribeiro has been performing with solo guitar over a pre-recorded CD "since I can't carry around an 80 piece orchestra with me." Eventually there may be performances with a live band or a full orchestra.

Is Ribeiro's work enough to make Bach or Beethoven sit up and take notice? No, but in a few years composers like John Williams, James Horner and Danny Elfman might be looking over their shoulders for him.

[This CD can be purchased at www.waltribeiro.net.]

© 2007 - Rusty Pipes