Today we’d like to introduce you to Stefano Tomaselli
Hi Stefano, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Stefano Tomaselli and I am a music composer based in Los Angeles. I was born and raised in Italy, where I started studying piano at the age of nine with Professor Antonio Ranalli, student of Ferruccio Busoni. My journey culminated with a Master’s Degree in Composition under the guidance of Maestro Alessandro Cusatelli. I also studied Organ (mandatory for composition students enrolled in any Conservatory in Italy), Violin and Drums. I recently picked up guitar and bass guitar, but I still have a long road ahead of me before I can say I can play them!
I have relocated to Los Angeles with the help of Academy Award winner Bill Conti and Grammy Award winner Victor Vanacore, who graciously helped me transition into the music business in the US. Their insight has been paramount and I will be forever grateful for their invaluable support. Also, a few years ago I have been granted American citizenship and I am very proud of it.
Since I moved to Los Angeles, I have collaborated on several projects with world-renowned tenor Plácido Domingo (I composed original music for him and orchestrated music on several albums) and I have written music for films. My last project Is “Diane”; written and directed by Damarrus Grant, starring Lucia Oskerova as the lead character. It’s a horror film with a comical twist, and it’s extremely enjoyable to watch. The entire cast did a great job; Damarrus has chosen a set of talented actors that definitively poured their souls in it. For what concerns my personal contribution to the film, I had fun twisting around the clichés we normally encounter in the horror genre when it comes to the music; I pretty much used them all to underline the comical side of it. The film is available on Apple TV, Amazon prime Video and Tubi.
At the moment, Damarrus and I are working on his next film; I don’t want to give away too much, but it’s going to be a blast!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, the road has not been smooth; even though I have been welcomed with open arms and I have received a lot of support from countless individuals, the transition has not been easy. There are substantial differences between Europe and the US (whether is cultural or just the way individuals relate to each other) and it took a little bit of time to adapt and adjust.
Also, the entertainment business is very competitive; it takes time to build up and, if you are lucky, succeed. Nevertheless, I have always had broad shoulders and no matter what the obstacle is, I know I can overcome the challenge. I am from originally Rome, so I may have some ancestral DNA remnants that helps in such situations. 🙂
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
If I may, I would like to talk about how technology affects musicians today. I have a background in IT, and I have actively participated in the dawn of such era. In the last 30+ years we have witnessed an exponential growth with endless tools at our disposal; that could simplify the workflow, as long as there’s a benefit and time is saved. Being trained classical, I can combine the two worlds and get to the finish line with satisfactory results. I know there are many fellow musicians that follow the same path.
At the same time, I do tend to favor the human side of it; I’d rather record my music using professional musicians: I firmly believe that music is about emotions, and emotions are difficult to convey if we just use music libraries (as good as those may be, and there are plenty that are stellar). Of course a balance must be found, and I do “swim” in such hybrid world we have created all the time.
To be honest, I am most proud of listening to my music being performed by the exceptional musicians we, composers, can collaborate with; those black dots on the page are brought to life by their skills and musicality and that cannot be replicated by any machine. It is so personal and unique to give life to an abstract concept extrapolated from a set of strokes found on a page, even if they are using any sort of tablet to read their parts – yes, that saves time! 🙂
I believe it is not up to me to say what eventually sets me apart from others; every artist has something unique to give so, as long as we persevere in doing what we love, our music could reach (and hopefully positively touch) anyone that tunes in to listen.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Two things, here’s the first one.
When I approach a new project, I always work the “white canvas” (most exciting moment!) without the aid of my instruments; only when I have the theme I am aiming for I sit at my piano. I believe our hands have the tendency to go to familiar places, whether because of muscle memory or a specific key that resonates more.
Second: I have a passion for open-wheel car racing, sport that I have practiced in the past.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stefanotomaselli.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stefanotomaselli/videos
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-797135456
