Luigi Russolo

Full biography Luigi Russolo

Luigi Russolo (1885-1947) was an Italian Futurist painter , composer, and builder of experimental musical instruments. He was born on April 30, 1885, in Portogruaro, Italy. In 1901, he went to Milan to join his brother, who was studying engineering. However, he eventually pursued a career in art and music.

Russolo was a founding member of the Futurist movement, a group of artists and thinkers who sought to embrace the possibilities of the machine age and break away from the traditions of the past. He believed that music should reflect the sounds of modern life, including the noise of machines and the city. In 1913, he wrote a manifesto titled "The Art of Noises," which called for the creation of new instruments that could replicate the sounds of the modern world.

To realize his vision, Russolo built a family of experimental instruments called intonarumori (literally "noise-makers"). These were mechanical devices that could produce a range of noises, including whistles, hisses, and thuds. He used these instruments in his compositions, which he called "intonations."

Russolo's music was provocative and controversial. Many critics dismissed it as mere noise, and it was often met with ridicule and hostility. However, it has since been recognized as an important precursor to later movements in experimental and electronic music.

In addition to his musical output, Russolo was a painter and visual artist. His paintings were characterized by bold colors and geometric shapes, and he was heavily influenced by the Cubist and Futurist movements.

Today, Russolo is remembered as a pioneering figure in the world of experimental music and as a key member of the Futurist movement. His ideas and innovations continue to inspire musicians and artists around the world.