“Laudes” is a mesmerizing composition by Carlo Matti that breathes new life into the medieval laude tradition. Inspired by the timeless Cantico delle Creature by St. Francis of Assisi, this piece blends ancient spirituality with a contemporary sonic landscape. A fusion of clarinet, voices, percussion, and electronics, Laudes invites listeners into a space where the mystical, lyrical, and timeless collide.

This release, a digital EP by Raighes Factory, represents a profound journey into sound and history, an intricate interplay of sacred medieval influences and modern sensibilities.

About the Composition

Concept:
Laudes is rooted in the Cantico delle Creature, St. Francis’s hymn of praise to nature and divinity, composed in the first version written at San Damiano. The piece reimagines this ancient text through a multi-layered, almost geological, approach. The voices sing the words of the Cantico in rhythms reminiscent of medieval laude, evoking an echo of natural and historical events that transcend time.

The Cantico no longer belongs to any individual but has become a universal voice—an echo of 800 years of history. Through Matti’s vision, this sacred text transforms into a riddle that reveals hidden layers of meaning, transcending past, present, and future.

Musical Style and Elements:
Matti’s approach follows the internal rhythm of the text, embracing the simplicity and depth of the medieval laude. While the melodies are not explicitly medieval, the overall structure evokes the spirit of that era.

The clarinet takes center stage, acting as a “modern observer” and “shamanic guide,” uncovering the magic and spirituality hidden within the words. It disorients and illuminates, revealing what is not immediately visible.

The backdrop features bordoni—long, resonant notes sung by baritone voices. These voices fragment and reshape the text, reflecting its transformation into a universal message that belongs to all of humanity.

Traditional instruments such as the portative organ and harpsichord are seamlessly intertwined with shamanic percussion (drums, Tibetan cymbals, liturgical bells) and modern electronic elements, creating a soundscape that is both ancient and contemporary.

Key Collaborators

• Alessio Zanovello: A clarinettist, multi-instrumentalist, comic actor, and longtime collaborator with Matti. His masterful clarinet performance embodies the “modern observer” of Laudes.
• Nova Soli: A trio of accomplished vocal soloists with expertise in medieval music, featuring Comerio, Chiara Scotti, and Mario Giacoboni. Their vocal interpretations ground the piece in the tradition of laude.
• Marco Grattarola and Andrea Manstretta: Contributed to the baritone vocal parts that create the resonant bordoni, crucial to the mystical depth of the composition.

Composer’s Vision

Carlo Matti describes Laudes as:

• A “magic trick” where appearances conceal deeper truths.
• A composition written in layers or strata, like a geological formation or a cake.
• A journey through time, connecting the medieval world of Francis of Assisi, our disintegrating present, and a future illuminated by shamanic wisdom.

He highlights the profound spirituality of the Cantico delle Creature, often misunderstood as a simple text, but in reality, deeply pantheistic with alchemical undertones.

According to Matti:

“The clarinet is the voice of the shaman, revealing the divinity in all creatures. The percussion resonates with everything mysterious and luminous, while the bordoni remind us that this text no longer belongs to St. Francis but to everyone. Laudes is like a riddle—one that opens a door to a hidden world, outside of time.”

For Fans Of

• Arvo Pärt
• Hildegard von Bingen
• Contemporary reimaginings of medieval and spiritual music
• Ethereal soundscapes blending ancient and modern elements

Highlights

• An innovative blend of medieval and contemporary musical styles.
• A unique use of instruments like clarinet, portative organ, harpsichord, and shamanic percussion.
• Inspired by one of history’s most profound and mystical texts, the Cantico delle Creature.
• A meditative, transcendental listening experience that bridges centuries of musical tradition.