Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, is more than just historical landmarks and cheesesteaks. It’s a vibrant tapestry of streets, each with its own unique story and rhythm. Composer Nick Millevoi captures this essence in his project, Streets Of Philadelphia, a captivating exploration of urban soundscapes manifested as both a limited-edition sheet music book and a compelling digital album.
Dive into the heart of Philadelphia’s musical soul with the Streets of Philadelphia songbook. This isn’t just your average collection of sheet music. It’s a meticulously crafted book featuring 25 original compositions, each named after a distinct street in Philadelphia. Imagine holding in your hands a musical map of the city, ready to be interpreted by any instrument. These pieces, born from Millevoi’s deep connection to his hometown, are fresh and unrecorded, offering musicians a unique opportunity to bring them to life. Adding to its artistic value, the songbook is designed and Risograph printed by Philadelphia visual artist Erik Ruin of Ominous Cloud, making it a truly special collector’s item, limited to only 100 copies. This tangible piece of art is more than just sheet music; it’s a piece of Philadelphia’s creative spirit.
For those who prefer to experience the sounds of Streets of Philadelphia directly, the digital album serves as the perfect companion to the songbook. This debut recording documents ten of the songbook’s compositions, showcasing the breadth and depth of Millevoi’s vision. Inspired conceptually by Philadelphia and sonically by diverse influences ranging from the AACM to Louis Andriessen, Captain Beefheart, and John Zorn, the album presents a unique instrumental palette. Veronica MJ on viola, Tom Kraines on cello, Dan Blacksberg on trombone, Anthony DiBartolo on marimba and percussion, and Millevoi himself on guitar weave together intricate and evocative soundscapes. From solo cello and marimba pieces to dynamic ensemble arrangements, the album reveals the multifaceted nature of these “streets of philadelphia” compositions.
The album tracklist itself reads like a stroll through Philadelphia:
- Opal
- Camac
- Gaskill
- Markoe
- Battersby
- Sepviva
- Mower
- Vaux
- Plover
- Silver
These track titles aren’t just names; they are invitations to explore the sonic character of each street, as interpreted by Millevoi and his ensemble.
Streets of Philadelphia is more than just music; it’s an auditory journey through a city. Nick Millevoi, with his expertise in composition and deep connection to Philadelphia, offers a unique perspective on urban life through sound. Whether you choose to explore the intricate scores of the songbook or immerse yourself in the rich textures of the digital album, Streets of Philadelphia promises a rewarding and insightful listening experience. Discover the sounds of the city – explore Streets of Philadelphia today.
