The Inside Story: Bruce Leto, Jr. and GOMITOLO!

Navona Records artist Bruce Leto’s newest album of solo piano works synthesizes the tribulations and perseverance of the human spirit in the age of COVID-19, while also taking a look at some of the more bewildering aspects of the global response. GOMITOLO!— named after the Italian expression that loosely translates to “the incomprehensibility of human life”—is a fitting tribute to the European countries heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, featuring solo piano performances of works by Poulenc, Ravel, and fellow PARMA artist Curt Cacioppo.

Today, Bruce is our featured artist in “The Inside Story,” a blog series exploring the inner workings and personalities of our composers and performers. Read on to discover Bruce’s personal tribute as well as his thoughts for communicating hope and tranquility through music… 

Who was your first favorite artist(s) growing up?

Pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy – his technique, repertoire selection, musicality, and versatility speak to his impact not only as a pianist; but also as a conductor. Ashkenazy really understands the music that he undertakes (from Chopin to Prokofiev), performing with an athletic touch.

When did you realize that you wanted to be an artist?

During high school when I learned the Piano Quintet in G Minor by Dmitri Shostakovich, which was my first exposure to music written after 1850!

What was your most unusual performance, or the most embarrassing thing that happened to you during a performance?

I think many pianists can relate to this: having page turners accidentally turn one too many pages during a performance. How we react to the unpredictable helps shape who we are as artists.

If you could instantly have expertise performing one instrument, what instrument would that be?

The piano! I’ve played several instruments (piano, recorder, drums, guitar) and almost every sport (baseball, basketball, surfing, football, skiing, tennis) and piano is by far the most challenging trait. Performing the piano takes a lifetime (or two) to fully perfect.

What does this album mean to you personally?

This album is not only a tribute to Europe (amidst the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic), but also to my grandfather who passed away nearly a week after the release of Gomitolo! Francesco Leto was an influential figure in the Philadelphia area, from the medical profession to his music affinity (founded the Academy of Vocal Arts, liaised with Luciano Pavarotti, etc.).

Is there a specific feeling that you would like communicated to audiences in this work?

The feeling of hope and tranquility through the vehicle of impressionistic (and late contemporary) compositions!