introductory note for the Compingo site by co-producer Carlo Focarelli


One evening in Viterbo. For me, that's when and where Stefano's project was born. I had gone to look up Mark during the preparations for De André's opening concert and I couldn't wait for the rehearsal to end to be able to listen to a cassette of tracks performed by Stefano (Mark had already told me about it) for what was to be "Fab Four-String". In the July '98 heat, in my car, Mark and I were ravished! Awesome, absolutely unique, with a depth of expression assuredly far above the norm. I met Stefano that very night, seated around a hotel table with a bottle of mineral water that, at that late hour, was the only thing available with which to toast. Stefano was amazed, incredulous that we should actually be determined to go ahead with the project, indeed convinced that we were pulling his leg. He kept repeating with absolute humility that he didn't understand how we could be foolish enough to pursue such an idea.

I was impressed by Stefano's character. He's a really sweet fellow with his feet on the ground and an absolutely remarkable love for what he does.

We passed a pleasant few hours, delighted as well by his exquisite sense of humor.

After that first meeting, though I followed the project from afar, I only saw Stefano again in Milan one evening in February, in the recording studio. I was in the company of a person very dear to me, who, however, loves music of the "Backstreet Boys" type. She had heard a few of Stefano's piece and had not been particularly impressed.
Now we were immersed together with Stefano and Massimo Spinosa, the peerless sound technician who followed every detail of the project, in listening to "Dear Prudence".

As the music flowed around us, we were fascinated by the rapid succession of musical events that Massimo kept under close control in that dark little room and by Stefano's pensive glances that revealed, beyond his anxiousness to know what we thought, all the love and dedication that he had lavished on "Fab Four-String". There was something mystical in the music that filled the air; it was palpable.

It is extraordinary how love put into the things one does can have this power. Chiara's eyes, when the track ended, were illuminated and serene. Stefano's CD has been one of her favorites ever since. And this is one of my fondest memories.


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