Di Meola, Al - The Infinite Desire (special)
SKU
11-Telarc 83433
"First off...let me say - I really like this album. The very thought of this album always brings to mind a college professor of mine. The man was very provocative (a good quality for a teacher) and really challenged the pre-conceptions of his students' world view. He did, however, make at least one assertion with which I strongly disagreed. It was his view that the visual arts (painting) were the highest form of the 'high arts'. I did not agree. I had always belonged to that group of aficionados that understood that music was the finest of the fine arts. I considered his position untenable despite knowing that he possessed two degrees in music. Therefore, I found it quite amazing to read Mr. DiMeola's comments on the liner notes of 'The Infinite Desire'. There he was, expressing essentially the same viewpoint as my old college professor. Referring to the works of a painter that he admires named Vizzini(for whom the 3rd track on the recording is named), Mr.DiMeola wrote: "Somehow, he paints with colors in such deep, vivid harmonic contrast ... that one can only dream to create in music." Mr. DiMeola's remarks compelled me to reconsider my philosophical position and, as a result, I now have a much more conscious conception of the parallels between painting and music. Just as a painter starts with a blank canvas, so too does the composer start with an empty manuscript. The guitar, trumpet or clarinet does not make the slightest peep while sitting on it's stand, but in the hands of a master it transforms a blank canvas of empty air into a dazzling soundscape. Though I still feel that music is the finest of the fine arts, I highly encourage others to embrace the aforementioned analogy when attempting to listen with an open mind. 'The Infinite Desire' is exceptional material for use in practicing ones listening skills. Quite beautiful actually."Mark Edward Hendricks