Esmeralda Sella is a young pianist from Ravenna, Italy. “Magma” is her debut album, and also a turning point. It’s the culmination of a journey that was «essential for understanding myself and the world around me» as she describes it.
Sella recorded “Magma” with two key collaborators: Federico Giolito (double bass) and Giovanni Nardiello (drums), following years of mutual trust, shared musical experiences and extensive practice. «Our sound is the result of opinions, ideas, and doubts exchanged over time. Federico’s and Giovanni’s commitment was truly inspiring: it fueled the excitement of building something together. They were a huge support, especially during the songwriting process. Federico’s lyricism and Giovanni’s creativity immediately embraced the ideas I bring. I feel incredibly lucky to collaborate with such authentic musicians: it’s a privilege to have crossed paths with them».
Released by Auand Records, “Magma” will be available in full, both in physical and digital formats, on October 3, 2025. The first two singles, “Il giardino delle delizie” and “Cancro”, were launched on May 2nd and June 6th – additional singles are scheduled for release monthly. The tracklist includes compositions written some years ago, as well as more recent ones. «I composed all the music myself – the pianist says – and I often found inspiration outside of music. For example, one track is dedicated to pianist Luca Flores and his story. Another one, “Cancro”, came after witnessing someone else’s suffering with illness, and not being able to express my pain and support in words. Music did it for me. In this album, music always carries a specific message, much like something urgent that I needed to express».
At the heart of “Magma”, as the title suggests, is a mix of strong musical energy resulting from the dynamic interplay between composition and improvisation. «We start with simple compositional ideas – Sella adds – to develop our story. It’s something that lives in the moment and is always expressed by the three of us, in a constant conversation. It takes a lot of listening and patience, which are essential to me. All of this affects how the listeners perceive the music. The tension we feel while shaping the narrative keeps them engaged: they feel the emptiness, the uncertainty and the surrender that each of us experiences while playing».
