Athos Enrile: "The Sound of the Spheres": a cosmic odyssey in progressive rock by Paola Tagliaferro and La Compagnia dell'Es

domenica 25 maggio 2025

"The Sound of the Spheres": a cosmic odyssey in progressive rock by Paola Tagliaferro and La Compagnia dell'Es

The last period of Paola Tagliaferro's professional career was marked by a deep artistic and human bond with the late Greg Lake, continued with his wife Regina and culminated with his entry into the historic Manticore Records, the only Italian artist to be part of it. But Paola never stops and today proposes a new project, parallel, in two languages, Italian and English.

It is necessary to underline that...

OWL Records released on all digital platforms "Il Suono Delle Sfere" on May 18th, a glass master CD distributed by BTF

https://btf.it/?s=Paola+Tagliaferro+&post_type=product&dgwt_wcas=1&lang=it

Black Widow Records from May 30th

https://blackwidow.it/?keywords=Tabulario#shop

The CD will be released on May 30th

The CD contains 10 UK 🇬🇧 tracks + 10 IT tracks

Let's come to a bit of comment...

Paola Tagliaferro and La Compagnia dell'Es present us with a work that goes beyond the boundaries of the musical genre, proposing with Il Suono delle Sfere / The Sound of the Spheres, a real progressive rock odyssey. The album, released on May 18th on all digital platforms by OWL Records (with a glass master CD distributed by BTF and from May 30th also by Black Widow Records), is not a simple listening, but a deep and contemplative experience, made even more accessible by its evocative edition in two languages (Italian / English).

The beating heart of the album is a cosmic concept that has its roots in a research that is as spiritual as it is scientific. Paola Tagliaferro reveals an inspiration drawn from the studies of Rudolf Steiner and his anthroposophical vision of the post-mortem soul's journey through the spiritual worlds associated with the planets. This esoteric dimension blends strikingly with the fascination with science, particularly the phenomenon of nuclear fusion that powers our solar system. The result is a sound tale that takes us from the Earth to the Moon and the planets, each evoked not only by its name, but also by the characteristics of the ancient Romans and Greeks with whom they were associated. Mercury the messenger, Venus goddess of love, Mars god of war: each deity finds a resonance in the lyrics and musical atmospheres of their respective songs, creating a fascinating intertwining of mythology, astronomy and spirituality.

The common thread that runs through the entire work is the symbol of the Ankh, the ancient Egyptian key to eternal life. This powerful hieroglyph, which is said to have inspired even the flip-flops, here takes on the meaning of the immortal path of the soul. It is the "Golden Key" that allows astral travel into the infinite void, an evocative image that music translates into cosmic rhythms and vibrant energies. The underlying message is clear and powerfully evocative: do not be afraid of death, because the soul is eternal. Life, explains Paola Tagliaferro, is a "school" to evolve with awareness, a path of improvement that, if undertaken with love, respect and compassion, can lead to continuous spiritual growth.

The realization of this ambitious sound universe is the result of an exceptional creative synergy. The original music is the result of the collaboration between Paola Tagliaferro and Pier Gonella, whose understanding has been consolidated in many previous projects. Paola, with her background ranging from fusion to the progressive rock of Greg Lake and King Crimson, joins Pier, who comes from rock metal and has extensive experience in composition. This fusion of styles results in instinctive and innovative sounds, with singing melodies and solos that bring to life impactful soundscapes.

The Compagnia dell'Es presents itself in a line-up that Paola Tagliaferro defines as "crazy": Luca Scherani on piano and keyboards, a true lover of prog rock with an incredible mastery of the instrument, as well as drummer Andrea Orlando. Both, in addition to being excellent musicians, have been able to arrange their parts with skill and creativity, helping to create a cohesive and enveloping sound under the artistic production of Tagliaferro and Gonella. Their "strong, positive and kind personality" has evidently fostered a fluid and productive creative dynamic.

The album also boasts valuable lyrical contributions: the lyrics of "Marte" were composed by Claudio Pozzani, poet, writer and president of the Genoa Poetry Festival, while "Plutone" bears the signature of José Pulido, Venezuelan poet, writer and journalist. These collaborations further enrich the depth of the content.

A distinctive and impactful element is the album cover, the result of the collaboration between Paola Tagliaferro and the very young contemporary artist Fiamma Diletta Cremonese. Struck by Fiamma's ability to represent the spirituality of matter, Paola entrusted her with the task of visualizing the "astral journey" of the album. Starting from a photograph of Paola herself, Fiamma was able to bring out an ethereal and powerful vision: the light of the astral body that is projected towards the celestial spheres with the key of Ankh. A representation that perfectly captures the mystical and transcendent essence of the project.

"The Sound of the Spheres" is an invitation to open new visions and to overcome the fear of obstacles and death, reminding us that "matter is only stardust, the divine is our vital flame, the spiritual energy from which everything is born". Expectations are high, and the hope is to be able to make this "sound journey" known during live concerts.

This new recording chapter allows Paola Tagliaferro to explore her vein as a singer-songwriter and her spiritual quest, while maintaining her role as interpreter of Greg Lake's classics for MANTICORE RECORDS.

So let's get ready for a musical journey that transcends earthly boundaries, which will lead us into the deep heart of the "Sound of the Spheres", a work that promises to enchant and make you think, leaving a lasting imprint on the soul of those who listen to it.

My listening journey started from the Italian side and then explored the English one, but I must admit that indicating a precedence would be superfluous. From whatever point the listener embarks on this sonic odyssey, the result is a coherent and deeply rewarding experience.

"The Sound of the Spheres" offers an undoubtedly pleasant listening for everyone, but it proves to be a real treasure trove of reflection for those who think that music is a powerful vehicle for introspection and a path to a higher awareness.

The Compagnia dell'Es is composed of:

Paola Tagliaferro: Vocals

Pier Gonella: guitar, bass

Luca Scherani: piano, keyboards

Andrea Orlando: drums