The Royal Academy of Music paid tribute to charismatic Italian composer Ivan Fedele in a mini-festival in February 2014. Director of the Venice Biennale, Fedele (b.1953) is a well-known and influential figure across Europe, but his music has rarely crossed the channel until now, with the first ever UK festival dedicated to his music - a 3-day celebration that included UK premieres of works large and small, masterclasses and an interview with the man himself.

One of his greatest admirers is Pierre Boulez and it is in France that Ivan Fedele consolidated his reputation as a composer [hence 'Suite francese'] whose opus amounts to nearly 100 titles and includes composition of every type: orchestral pieces, works for the theatre, electro-acoustic and chamber music.

This survey of Fedele's piano music is well worth exploring - for all those in need of sun-drenched spectralism!