The Radio Big Band is preparing for the first performance of Geometry of Creation, a concert in collaboration with the fusion group Platonic Band. The event is scheduled for Thursday, February 8th, at 7:00 PM at the Radio Hall. Berti Barbera, one of the members of Platonic Band, provides us with behind-the-scenes details of this project in an interview with Viorel Grecu.

Bringing Platonic Band and the Radio Big Band forms an appealing, captivating, and original blend. Could you share how this project came together?

You hit the nail on the head with "captivating" because, at this juncture of our musical journey, we aim to expand and offer what the scene we operate in lacks. That is why it seemed like a brilliant idea to diversify our sound by adding wind instruments, leveraging what this exceptional radio orchestra can offer-with whom I have had a delightful collaboration for a long time. Playing with this ensemble gives you a sensation akin to flying, like piloting a high-powered engine.We are also thrilled that it is a premiere, not just for us. This combination of a rock fusion band with a big band marks a first in Romania. Apart from NicuPatoi's compositions, we will be performing two or three vocal pieces, which are covers, but the essential point is Simona Strungaru's role as an arranger. All the pieces have taken on different dimensions, and thisenthralls us at every rehearsal and makes us more eager than ever to present this performance to a packed house on Thursday.

You are wrapping up rehearsals before meeting the audience. How was the progression of this process, considering that we are talking about a music complex on its own, placed within an even broader context? How has the entire process unfolded up to now?

No matter how complex the music may be and how much we would love to work carefully and dive into a complex repertoire, the goal is to make it accessible to an audience we respect.We have great respect for our audience; we don't want to give them insincere flattery, but we also don't want to boastabout how great we are. We intend to show how great the music we create is, and we achieve this through a friendly approach, starting with the attitude we bring to rehearsals, which from the very beginning has been like that in any respectable rehearsal room around the world. We genuinely respect each other, maintaining a focused approach to the music and enjoying our collective performances.This shared attitude is evident at all times and makes our work easier, although sometimes it is very challenging to maintain concentration and manage the other demands.Nevertheless, we don't see these difficulties as reasons to complain;on the contrary, we feel very privileged for this opportunity to collaborate and work at an international level.

What impact will the event on Thursday eveninghave? Will you also venture into the studio with the same expanded lineup?

The studio is currently reserved for compositions in the Platonic format. We are working on Geometry of Creation, an album featuring new tracks, some of which we will perform at this concert.We know these concerts are recorded, so we will pay extra attention. The concert will also be broadcast live. Such opportunities are rare and monumental for us, and we want to seize this chance to savor the joy of our craft to the fullest. Our primary goal is to make the audience smile.