Renzo Spiteri reaches new heights at major festival

The melodic notes of the marimba and the peal of Tibetan bells, coupled with a good dose of the drums' rhythmic beat promise to shake and stir audiences at this weekend's percussion treat, Intersections.

Malta's prolific multi-percussionist Renzo Spiteri will be joining American marimba and vibraphone artiste Dan Moore for a fusion of fresh, exciting music.

Intersections, which kicks off on Friday and runs until Sunday at the MITP Old University Theatre in St Christopher Street, Valletta, is the result of a friendship that took root in China last year.

Mr Spiteri was there working on a project when he bumped into Dr Moore, who heads the musical department of the University of Iowa.

The fact they both spoke English in a foreign country, where grappling with Chinese was not an easy task, was instrumental in forming a friendship... and sharing a passion for percussion helped.

Back in their respective countries the two kept in touch and Intersections is the result of a music collaborative programme between Musiconnect (Malta) and the University of Iowa, in partnership with the American Embassy.

The project involves an exchange: While Dr Moore will be performing in Malta this weekend, Mr Spiteri will be touring the American mid-west between October and November.

Though some compositions are complete, the two artistes will be spending this week creating a performance that includes a fusion of African and Indian music, with an injection of Chinese influence.

"The percussion possibilities are endless. The programme will vary between slow and meditative moments to a fast beat that should make people want to get up and dance," Mr Spiteri said.

"Dan is a brilliant composer and marimba player. This instrument generates the warmest sounds and whenever I hear its music, it spells out endless musical possibilities."

Mr Spiteri hopes to continue this year the way 2006 ended. The adrenaline is still coursing through his veins, having lived out his dream by performing at the Womad Festival in South Korea, one of the biggest, most established festivals of world music.

Womad (World of Music, Arts and Dance) started in Shepton Mallet, England, in 1982. The festival was pioneered by Peter Gabriel to bring together and celebrate many forms of music, arts and dance drawn from countries and cultures all over the world.

Some of the biggest names in the scene of world music were handpicked for the occasion and Mr Spiteri was invited to be among them last September.

Sharing his experience, his face still glows as he remembers the moment when he was invited to be musical director for The Drum Collective concert, directing his all-time heroes - Trilok Gurtu, a master of Indian music, tabla, percussion, and Western drumming; and Joji Hirota, percussionist, Japanese taiko drummer, shakuhachi flautist, singer and composer.

"I was having breakfast on the morning of the concert when they told me I was to be musical director... I nearly choked on my toast. The night before this startling news I had actually checked to make sure I was free to join the audience to watch the show," he said.

"When Trilok Gurtu had played in Malta at the jazz festival, I used to dream of being able to talk through our music and now I was being asked to direct this giant," he said, still in awe at the whole experience.

"Womad was an exhilarating moment - music is on the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. These people push you to reach new heights; to push yourself."

Those who wish to relish the music produced by Mr Spiteri and Dr Moore can buy tickets, at Lm5 each, from St James Cavalier, Valletta. Call on 2122 3216 or send an e-mail to boxoffice@sjcav.org. Performances start at 8 p.m. on all three nights.

www.renzospiteri.com