"8 Impromptus for Felted Piano" - New Album Now Available

8 Impromptus for Felted Piano is the latest solo work from composer and pianist Rui Ribeiro, featuring eight new pieces that originated from improvised ideas.

This album marks Rui Ribeiro's sixth solo release and showcases his ability to transform the ephemeral into something enduring. Recorded in 2022 while sketching out future musical projects, 8 Impromptus for Felted Piano emerged from spontaneous piano improvisations captured in the intimacy of his home. During the creative process, these recordings were stored in a folder titled "To Release or Not to Release?" highlighting the composer's hesitation about the fate of these pieces. For a year, the album lingered between the possibility of being released or remaining silent, until Rui Ribeiro ultimately decided to share it with the public.

This work, which nearly faded into obscurity, is deeply introspective, reflecting a period of isolation and personal contemplation in the composer's life. The pieces encapsulate the loneliness and melancholy that characterized that time, serving as a transitional space between his previous album and the upcoming one, set for release in 2025. The inherent vulnerability of the improvisations reveals how Rui Ribeiro navigates the creative process in moments of uncertainty, exploring new facets of his style while staying true to his minimalist musical language.

With a profoundly intimate and stripped-back sound, characteristic of the "felted piano"—a prepared piano that produces a softer, muted tone—"8 Impromptus for Felted Piano" invites introspection and attentive listening. It offers an unpretentious musical experience that brings forth the pure essence of the composer's improvisations. This album, though initially hesitant, stands as a testament to artistic maturity, marking a special chapter in Rui Ribeiro's career.

Team Rui Ribeiro