REVIEWS
Director Allison Argo (Winner of Six Emmy Awards) - ("The Last Pig"):
Giovanni is passionate about his art. He is willing to step well beyond the status quo in search of the right voice, tone and emotional colors for a film. He also understands the magic a live instrument brings to a score; he's able to artfully weave live with synthesized music to achieve an organic, dynamic sound. The cues that Giovanni wrote for my film are not simply music - each is an experience that catches the viewer by surprise and carries him/her deeper into the film.
Directors James Pellerito and David Barba ("Pop Star On Ice", "Be Good Johnny Weir", "Anatomy of a Male Ballet Dancer", "American Cheerleader", "Baby with the Bathwater" and "Maree"):
Working with Giovanni Spinelli is like working with many different composers because he is a master of so many different music genres. Giovanni is a classically trained musician and composer yet he is just as comfortable composing pop ballads, dance music, punk tracks, bossa nova jazz, slavic folk music or quiet, reflective musical score moments. For our documentary film POP STAR ON ICE, starring iconoclast figure skating champion Johnny Weir, we in fact asked Giovanni to produce all of these genres and he delivered brilliantly.
Beyond the talent, Giovanni is a pleasure to work with because he is extremely fast, creatively open and he 'gets it'. Giovanni's involvement guarantees that the project will be better.
Jeremiah Kipp, writer, director and producer ("Pick Up", "Slapface", “Sins”, “Perfect” and "Cookie"):
Giovanni is a total artist. Immersive. Gets into the mind of the movie through his music. Depth. Clarity. Makes the story telling richer. One of the smartest guys in the room. Working with Giovanni was a deeply gratifying experience. From our very first meeting, he was sensitive to the needs of the film, collaborative in his storytelling, and very open to creative exploration. You never doubt the result will be something very special, and Giovanni has a high standard of musical excellence that doesn't interfere with his work flow. He's an incredibly talented artist and craftsman... I hope we have many more collaborations in the years to come.
Writer/Director Jason Wade Hammonds ("Jacknife Memoriam" - "Diane Skyhawk" - "American Way", “The Prophet”, “The Lord’s Prayer”, “Onto A Vast Plain”, “The Protestants”):
Giovanni is an inspired genius. Working with him on my last fivefilms has been a real treat. He seems to be always inventing something new and this always works to my advantage. I get clips of maybe 5-10 pieces prior to filming and it always helps drive the direction of the film. He has an amazing talent for melding the classical and the contemporary, creating something that could only be an original Spinelli.
Nathan Buck, Director/Producer ("Before El Finà - “Cupcake” - “Swaatch"):
Giovanni has composed music for four short films and one feature for me, and I can say without question that he is one of the most responsive and intuitive creatives in ANY film-related discipline that I have worked with. Giovanni particularly thrives on time-critical projects and without fail can be depended on to deliver to spec on, or before, deadlines. He has just the right balance of ingenuity and flexibility - capable of producing something brilliant, and then equally willing to modify it or return to the drawing board if it doesn't fit a particular project. I have no hesitation in recommending Giovanni Spinelli: an extremely talented, hard working composer who will always add value to your project. I hope to work with him again!
Director Brian Dilg ("Leaving Ashland", "Double Negative", “Lamentation” and "Itch"), Chair of the Photography Department, New York Film Academy:
It has been my great pleasure to work with Giovanni as a composer on several projects since we met in 2004, as well as to enjoy his work on additional film, theater, and dance productions. He is first and foremost a superb composer and musician who brings a peerless work ethic, a broad awareness of music and film history, and a deeply considered and researched approach to every piece of music he writes. But what truly forges lasting professional relationships are exceptional people with whom it is simply a joy to work, and in that respect Giovanni has few peers. To know him and spend time working with him is to be continuously immersed in a vast spectrum of musical ideas, stories, cultural references, and impressions that reflect the trans-continental life that he has led, the many languages he has mastered, and the depth of his passion and curiosity. As a director, I feel fortunate to have been able to collaborate on several film projects with him in the last decade, and look forward to continuing that fruitful partnership for many more decades to come. No one works harder; no one brings a more singular voice and artistic ability to a project.
Meissa Hampton, Director ("A Social Cure"):
Giovanni was a treasure. We had a tight deadline and he stepped in and brought our Feature documentary to completion. He was fast and responsive. It can be difficult to find someone with whom communication is easy and efficient. Giovanni was that someone - he understood the tone and intent of the project and made adjustments easily and comprehensively. He’s proactive and consummately professional. I feel very lucky to have found him and that I was able to work with him.
Megumi Eda, Dancer, Choreographer, Multimedial Artist (“Just-a-theory” “Scintilla”):
I don’t know how he has so much energy! Once he starts working with me, he is like a machine, he almost can’t take a break. He is so passionate and very generous with his time and ideas. I am also impressed that Giovanni can make just about any type of music. Thank you Giovanni for making inspiring music for my dance film “Just a theory “ ...and Please work with me again!!
Slawomir Milewski, director (“Rasberry Man”)
I remember when I asked Giovanni if he could write the music to my film “Rasberry Man”, I had no idea what kind of sounds I would like to have. I was thinking to have sounds in Penderecki’s manner but wasn’t sure really. So, I asked Giovanni if he could make whatever he would like to.
3 days later he sent me the whole music! In 2 versions! And you know what, it was much better than Penderecki’s! Holy smoke, I have never even thought I could work with such a huge-caliber composer! I am really happy with our co-operation. I think Giovanni’s music gave amazing hallucinogenic depth to ‘Raspberry Man’!
Jennifer Plotzke, producer “Missing Her”:
Giovanni’s work is never anything less than exquisite. It has been my distinct pleasure to work with him multiple times in different genres and I can say without hesitation that his work has been rich, complex, nuanced and beautiful each and every time. It is an absolute joy to collaborate with Giovanni. He brings a smart perspective and understanding to each project and is a kind, patient and generous artist that delves deep into the story and explores it from every angle. His impeccable work and work ethic prove again and again that he is a truly remarkable composer.
Ilaria Malvezzi, writer, actor and producer ("Open"):
Giovanni came highly recommended by my dear friend and close collaborator, director/writer Jeremiah Kipp. Working with Giovanni greatly exceeded all my expectations. Giovanni embraced the material with great sensitivity, respect, modesty, enthusiasm and an impeccable work ethic. His spirit of collaboration, patience and professionalism are unmatched. Giovanni is a true and gifted artist and it has been a delight and an honor to have him on my team. His presence, contribution and most of all his pure and childlike heart have been essential to make my vision come to life. Giovanni transforms into gold everything he touches. I couldn't recommend him more highly and I hope to share many more projects with him.
Eva Depoorter, director (“The Widow”, “de groei van Hilde Johanna”, “de Takken van den Bomen”, “Sonia [WIP]”)
I first met Giovanni on a film set in Brooklyn, NY. It was cold and for me, too early to function properly. Luckily, the director sent us out for coffee, and that’s when Giovanni and I properly connected: our European roots, humor and the right amount of coffee, would become the foundation of a future collaboration, i.e. The Widow. After having watched the rough cut, Giovanni immediately got to work and revealed how profoundly engaged and artistic he is. The process of working with a composer was new to me, but Giovanni guided me with stamina, never losing touch with his own perception, always maintaining a balance between his vision and mine… Until they beautifully came together and defined The Widow’s core: a poignant, sensual and visceral ode to loss.
Zishan Ugurlu, Resident Director, La Mama Theater (Strindberg's "The Father"):
Giovanni's music sparkles and soars in a style which is rich and inspiring. It unveils the human soul with the quality of the greatest masterpieces.
“Versatile score by Giovanni Spinelli also keeps things moving”
— Variety (on "Pop Star On Ice")
“A rich, turbulent string quartet from young composer Giovanni Spinelli for [Diane Coburn Bruning’s] emotionally charged ensemble piece “Dark Parade””
— The New Yorker (on "Jasna Gora")
“Sunrise” by F.W. Murnau (1927) - Live score for solo electric guitar
“An astounding mix of Hendrix, Badalamenti, Vaughn and The Edge”
— San Francisco Examiner (on "Sunrise")
“A feat of yogic proportions”
— Indiewire (on "Sunrise")
“A truly one-of-a-kind experience”
— YAM Magazine (on "Sunrise")
Paolo Cherchi Usai, Resident Curator Telluride Film Festival, Co-Founder, Pordenone Silent Film Festival (D.W. Griffith's "True Heart Susie"; F.W. Murnau's "Sunrise"):
Spinelli’s work in silent film music reveals a fresh, non-deferential approach to the live accompaniment of cinema classics. His mix of sensibility, competence and sheer enthusiasm for this precious art form provides audiences of the newest generations with a chance to discover silent cinema for what it really is – a timeless display of creativity and beauty.
Ilaria Franchini, director (“Chiaroscuri” and “The Beached Whale”):
Intuition, empathy and extreme musical sensibility, Giovanni Spinelli has the rare ability to “listen” to the filmmaker while at the same time tiptoeing into the film and proposing the “right dress” for the film from the outset. He works with you until all the stitches and folds suit the body of the film, greatly enhancing its beauty…., the “musical tailor”, as I like to define him. It is a great honor and advantage to have Giovanni as a friend and collaborator, also because of his deep knowledge of music and cinema, and I owe to him a great part of my artistic and expressive development.
“The score by Giovanni Spinelli sets the tone right away for Jeremiah Kipp’s “Pickup.” This is moody, atmospheric and painful music...”
-- Sonic Cinema (on "Pickup")
“The music is wonderful...”
— Rouge Cinema (on "Pickup")
“I was struck by the score by Giovanni Spinelli, which was uniquely haunting...”
— Richard Propes - The Independent Critic (on "Pickup")
“[w]ith Giovanni Spinelli’s music ... the film was in safe hands.”
— Indie Shorts Mag (on "Pickup")
“The fantastic score by Giovanni Spinelli leaves us in no doubt that there could be a threat lurking around any corner. ... the nervy violin pieces are almost reminiscent of ‘The Witch’. The sense of ominous dread is tangible”
— www.youvegotredonyou.com (on "Slapface")
Thomas Barnes, director, writer, producer and instructor at the New York Film Academy ("Porgies and Bass", “Hafus in Love”):
Giovanni is a badass film composer and a passionate collaborator with an insane work ethic! His score will make your film better. And you will have a great time doing it!
Xin Ying, Choreographer and Principal Dancer, Martha Graham Dance Company ("Lamentation", “Almost Ritual I” “Almost Ritual II”, “Maiden Mother Crone”):
Giovanni's music is the dance partner I've been dreaming to have. Expressive but not over the top. Supportive while providing contrast. Just the right amount of resistance to make the movements have more range and volume.
Producer Philippe Brenninkmeyer ("Bis Gleich" - Short list for an Oscar):
Giovanni is a musical wizard. The music that he composed for our film "Bis Gleich" is so phenomenal that it elevated the film to heights we could have only dreamed of in our wildest dreams.
Francesca Antonacci - Caroline Brethenoux, dancer/choreographers - KAFRA Collective (“Murmur”)
Working with Giovanni has been an incredible journey. As an artist, Giovanni has the perfect combination between an acute perception of emotions and practicability.
He is talented, curious and very dedicated to his work.
He will challenge you, trying to understand deeply what your message as a performer and a mover is.
His music as a result has always exceeded our expectations.
It's been an extraordinary discovery and a great pleasure for us, both as artists and human beings, to collaborate and work closely side by side with him.
KAFRA collective