Cacciapaglia is a prominent figure on the more innovative Italian music scene and a point of reference in Italy and abroad, for his musical research between classical and experimental electronic and direction towards music without borders that goes beyond divisions.
For some time, he was involved in studying sacred music and dance, and for a number of years he has conducted a research effort that studies the powers of sound. His music draws inspiration from these experiences and passes through emotions rather than through traditional rules and structure.
”SONANZE” (1974) is his first record, published by Rolf Ulrich Kaiser, editor of “OHR”, a German record company. Through this work, Cacciapaglia entered into contact with various German music groups such as: POPOL VUH, TANGERINE DREAM, WALLENSTEIN, DIETER DARKS.
“SEI NOTE IN LOGICA” (1978) for vocals, orchestra and computer published by Philips during the performance of the Ensemble Garbarino.
During these years his compositions are performed in diverse locations: Università Statale of Milan with the Popol Vhu.
“PER UN USO CREATIVO DEL NUOVO SUONO” (1975) Basilica of Piazza Vetra in Milan.
“I TESTIMONI” (1976) accompanied by the sculptures of Ugo Guarino realised from dismantled furniture from the Psychiatric Hospital of Trieste. “Festival di Re Nudo” Parco Lambro. “OUTLINES” (1977) performed by Antonio Ballista and Alide Maria Salvetta at the Festival Pianistico of Brescia and Bergamo.
“AZIONE MUSICALE SOTTO UNA LENTE D’INGRANDIMENTO” (1978) for the pantomime and instrumental group, “Out Off” of Milan, International Congress of Anti-psychiatry of Paris.
His work as a composer and producer permits him to experiment with the language of rock music: Ann Steel (1979), Gianna Nannini (1981), Giuni Russo (1983), Ivan Cattaneo (1983), Alice (1985)...
“RICONCILIAZIONE” (1986) for piano and instruments. Opening performance, the Milan Conservatory.
“GENERAZIONI DEL CIELO” (1986) work composed of two acts published by Ricordi e recorded on Dischi Fonit Cetra, plenary performance at the Metastasio Theatre of Prato(1986). Other performances: Chiesa del Convento di San Nazzaro della Costa in Novara, Rassegna “Musica Instrumentum Coeli” (1999), Lingotto– Salone della Musica of Turin (2000).
“TRANSARMONICA” (1988) for vocal and instrumental group. Festival “Aterforum” of Ferrara – where, with his ensemble, he performed with Terry Riley “In C”.
In that same year “TRANSARMONICA” Festival “Due Dimensioni” of Parma. In 1992 he opened the Festival of Villa Arconati at Castellazzo di Bollate during the inaugural evening entirely dedicated to the works of Roberto Cacciapaglia.
“LAMENTAZIONI DI GEREMIA” (1986) for countertenor and organ. International Festival of Tel Aviv. Additional representations: “Festival Due Dimensioni” of Parma, “Cabaret Voltaire” of Turin, Basilica di Santo Stefano in Bologna (2001).
“AUREA CARMINA” (1988) from the text of Pythagoras, for baritone, treble, choir and orchestra, commissioned by the Accademia of Santa Cecilia in Rome where it was also performed in that same year.
“IL SEGRETO DELL’ ALBA” (1989) pantomime ballet in two acts commissioned by the Teatro Comunale of Bologna where it was also performed.
“UN GIORNO X” (1990) video opera for vocals, orchestra and electronic instruments commissioned by “Musica del Nostro Tempo” and performed at the Conservatorio of Milan with the participation of Gianna Nannini and l’Orchestra dei Pomeriggi Musicali.
“LE MILLE E UNA NOTTE” (1991) musical fairytale written for the Compagnia marionettistica “Carlo Colla & Figli” performed at the Festival of Berlin “Berliner Festspiele” and “Festival di Spoleto” (1998).
“SINTONIA” (1991) for arc orchestra performed by the Orquesta Sinfonica Municipal de Campinas in Brazil.
“DIALOGHI CON NESSUNO” (1991) theatre work directed by Silvano Piccardi, interpreted by Ottavia Piccolo.
“ANGELUS ROCK” (1992) for vocal and instrumental group published by Polydor, presented at the IV Edizione del Premio “Città di Recanati” (1993).
“ODISSEO, IL SENSO DELL’ALBA” (1996) solo piano, commissioned from XVI Festival del Teatro Italiano “Riviera d’Ulisse”.
“TRA CIELO E TERRA” (1996) published by CGD with the participation of Franco Battiato presented in concert at the Teatro Olimpico of Rome (1997).
“MAI PER ATZAR” (1997) theatre work directed by Valerio Ferrari “Passatge de la Pau” of Barcelona.
“DISSOLUZIONE DELLA ARIA” (1997) for solo piano. First performance at the “Teatro Baraccano” of Bologna. Additional performances: Rassegna “Genius Loci”, Chiostro del Bramante, Rome (2001), Festa Europea della Musica of Rome (2002), “La Milanesiana” organized by Elisabetta Sgarbi and the Provincia di Milano (2002), Festival di Verucchio, Rassegna “Musica e Dintorni”(2002) Monte di Pietà, Messina.
“ANIMALS” (2000) commissioned by the “Cantiere Internazionale di Montepulciano”, interpreted by Elio delle Storie Tese and directed by Enrique Mazzola.
“ARCANA” (2001) published by BMG Ricordi with a preview performance in 2000 at the Festival “Il Violino e la Selce” of Fano directed by Franco Battiato. Additional performances: “Galleria Sozzani” of Milan (2001) concert event presentation of the Cd, Manifestazione “Pegaso d’Oro” of Acireale, “Made in Bo” of Bologna, Festival “Esperimenta” of Alberobello.
“TEMPUS FUGIT” (2003) for piano, vocals, violoncello and electronic positions. Published by BMG Ricordi, preview at Festival “Sconfinando” Sarzana (2002), Chiesa dei SS. Gervaso and Protaso Trezzo sull’Adda, Basilica di San Lorenzo Milan nella Rassegna “Musica nei Cieli”(2003).
“APPELLO ALLE NAZIONI” (2003) with the participation of Gianna Nannini, Chiesa di San Carlo al Corso - Milan.
“SALMO 4 – PREGHIERA DELLA SERA” (2003) for soprano and piano, Duomo of Milan in the Rassegna “Salmi”
“ESERCIZI PREPARATORI PER LA MODIFICA DEGLI EVENTI” for piano, with Derek Walcott, the Nobel Prize in Literature, Teatro Dal Verme, “La Milanesiana”.
“DIAGONAL MAR” Palazzo Isinbardi, “La Milanesiana”.
“ROCK ANGELS” (2003) for the installation exhibition of Roberto Masotti, Rassegna “Limite” Arco di Trento.
“MENTE RADIOSA” (2004) for piano exclusively presented with the Nobel Prize winner, Rita Levi Montalcini, at the Milanesiana “Palazzo Isinbardi”.
“INCONTRI CON L’ANIMA” (2005) Cd published by Deltadischi, Teatro San Carlo of Naples, Giardino di Boboli of Florence, Castello di Lecce where a selection of the Cd was presented (2006).
“AD VITAM” (2005) Triennale di Milano in memory of Pierpaolo Pasolini.
“TRA BUIO E LUCE” (2007) elements of style with Giovanni Sollima Teatro Dal Verme “La Milanesiana”.
“QUARTO TEMPO”(2007) Cd realised with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and published by Universal Music in September 2007. Officially presented in concert at the Teatro degli Arcimboldi of Milan.
"Violoncelles, vibrez" became the main theme of Peter Greenaway's Rembrandt's J'Accuse.
My Time
Roberto Cacciapaglia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My thoughts are in perfect array
My life runs smooth like a highway
Billboards show me the way
My way of life has the glamour
Of an artificial neon ad
I need overwhelming information
For a complete shopping list
Acrylic colours oscillate my eyes
When I walk down a drugstore aisle
Stored on the shelves of my memory
My thoughts are in perfect array
I learn do it yourself cybernetics
While I′m jogging on a rolling tray
I love my weekends in the pure air
On the heights of the Eiffel tower
My time my time I love my time
My time has something more
My time's the best there′s ever been
My time I love my time
Thank you my time
My life runs smooth like a highway
Billboards show me the way
My love stories have the flavour
Of a swiss made digital watch
When I have to know what to love
I recall my stored data
Doctor Einstein we're going supernova
There's not a single thing that you can do
????????
My time my time I love my time
My time has something more
My time′s the best there′s ever been
My time I love my time
Thank you my time
My thoughts are still like a photo
In the hall of a Hilton Hotel
My reflex actions are mechanized
Like japanese camera tourists
Happily milling in Bloomingdales
Shooting at beautiful symbols
My time my time I love my time
My time has something more
My time's the best there′s ever been
My time I love my time
Thank you my time
The song "My Time" by Roberto Cacciapaglia is a commentary on the modern-day lifestyle driven by consumerism, technology, and the pursuit of pleasure. The song opens with the lines "Stored on the shelves of my memory, My thoughts are in perfect array," which suggest an orderly and structured mind. The singer of the song sees their life as running smoothly like a highway, with billboards showing them the way. They describe their way of life as glamorous with the artificial neon ads having a significant impact on their life. The singer admits to needing constant stimulation and information, likening it to an overwhelming shopping list.
The next few verses of the song highlight the singer's love for modern technology and consumerism, as they describe their fascination with do-it-yourself cybernetics, walking down a drugstore aisle, and love for Swiss-made digital watches. They refer to the heights of the Eiffel tower as a place to escape to on the weekends, showcasing their highflying lifestyle. The singer thanks "my time" for all of this, suggesting that they are grateful for the excesses they have been blessed with.
The final verses of the song describe the singer's lifestyle as one of a tourist, taking pictures of beautiful symbols in Bloomingdales and reflex actions mechanised like Japanese camera tourists. They end the song with a repetition of the lines "My time my time I love my time, My time has something more, My time's the best there′s ever been, My time I love my time, Thank you my time," emphasising their love for their luxurious lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Stored on the shelves of my memory
My memories are neatly organized and easily accessible
My thoughts are in perfect array
My thoughts are well-ordered
My life runs smooth like a highway
My life is without obstacles
Billboards show me the way
My path in life is clearly marked by external feedback
My way of life has the glamour
My lifestyle is flashy and grandiose
Of an artificial neon ad
Like the ads that populate public spaces, my lifestyle is not authentic
I need overwhelming information
I require copious amounts of data on which to base my decisions
For a complete shopping list
My decision-making is often based solely on materialistic interests
Acrylic colours oscillate my eyes
The bright colors of consumer products catch my attention
When I walk down a drugstore aisle
The environment of a drugstore is particularly stimulating for me
I learn do it yourself cybernetics
I am constantly looking to improve myself through the use of technology
While I'm jogging on a rolling tray
I attempt to multitask in all aspects of my life, including exercise
I love my weekends in the pure air
I enjoy outdoor activities on weekends
On the heights of the Eiffel tower
Specifically, I enjoy outdoor activities in grand settings such as the Eiffel tower
My love stories have the flavour
My romantic experiences are akin to consumer products
Of a Swiss made digital watch
An expensive and high-quality consumer good
When I have to know what to love
I often default to past experiences and data to inform my romantic taste
I recall my stored data
I rely heavily on past experiences and memories for decision-making
Doctor Einstein we're going supernova
An allusion to the destructive nature of technological progress
There's not a single thing that you can do
Implying that the consequences of technological progress are inevitable and irreversible
My thoughts are still like a photo
My memories are vivid and long-lasting, like a photograph
In the hall of a Hilton Hotel
My memories are often associated with grand and expensive settings
My reflex actions are mechanized
I am reliant on technology and automation in my day-to-day life
Like Japanese camera tourists
An allusion to the idea that technology and its influence is universal, regardless of culture
Happily milling in Bloomingdales
Enjoying myself in a place of luxury and opulence
Shooting at beautiful symbols
A metaphor for the act of purchasing or acquiring materialistic goods
My time I love my time
I am content with my current state of existence
My time has something more
Implying that there is something more to be gained from a technology-focused lifestyle
My time's the best there's ever been
Implying that a technology-focused lifestyle is superior to past ways of living
Thank you my time
Expressing gratitude for a lifestyle that prioritizes technology and material gain
Writer(s): Roberto Cacciapaglia, Villahermosa Manca Di
Contributed by Makayla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.