About Anfrando Maiola (Koto)
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2023 10:15 am
"Since Anfrando Maiola is no longer with us, I felt the need to share with you some details of his life...
A long time ago, in the bright world of Italo Disco, there lived a talented musician named Anfrando Maiola, also known as Koto. Anfrando's music was able to touch the hearts of thousands of people, and his melodies became the soundtrack to joyful moments and unforgettable memories. Today, when I tell you the story of Anfrando's life, let's go on a journey filled with warmth and inspiration.
Anfrando Maiola, known by his stage name Koto, was a musical genius whose instrumental Italo-disco compositions won the hearts of millions. Born on February 7, 1954 in Parma, Italy. His passion for music began at a young age. With an emphasis on instrumental pieces, Koto's compositions demonstrated his synthesizer playing skills, creating a unique combination of melodies that resonated deeply with his listeners. It was in the magical era of the 80s that the musical genius of Anfrando truly shone, as he became a beacon of light on the Italo Disco scene.
In addition to music, Anfrando shared about his personal life. He said that he was happily married to Martina, a German, and although they had no children, they found joy and communication in the company of their beloved dog Jesse. These personal details provided a glimpse into the life of a man whose passion for music was beautifully intertwined with love and warmth.
Anfrando explained that vocals are secondary to the music itself. He believed that instrumental compositions allow the listener to feel the melodies on a more personal level. Starting his musical career as a drummer and then studying piano and synthesizer, Anfrando's talent developed over the years, which led him to create works that left an indelible mark on the music industry.
The name "Koto" was taken from the name of one sound of a keyboard synthesizer. Fascinated by the unique and mesmerizing sound quality of KOTO, Anfrando made him his creative personality. His iconic track "Jabdah" had charming vocals, but it wasn't his own. The voice was recorded in the studio by a speaker, and then supplemented with effects to create a fascinating sound impression.
Thanks to an impressive set of instruments, including TR 808-BASS LINE-SEQUENCER MC 500 ROLAND, OBERHEIM-KORG LAMBDA, and recently VIRUS-NORDLEAD-SUPERNOVA, Anfrando's studio has become a sanctuary for his creative process.
Collaboration with other artists was a relative rarity for Anfrando. He mainly focused on remakes, such as, for example, "Pulstar '83" by Vangelis, which was published together with Hipnosis. Anfrando's arrangements breathed new life into these compositions, ensuring their continued recognition by the public. When asked about his favorite Italian songs, Anfrando expressed his love for songs like "Self Control" and "Dolce Vita".
Among Anfrando's impressive repertoire, "Visitors" stood out as a masterpiece that found a deep response from audiences around the world. When asked about his favorite works, he expressed strong sympathy for "Visitors" because of its huge popularity and undoubted memorability.
The process of creating a successful composition, according to Anfrando, was different in time and creative energy. Some days were more fruitful than others, but he believed that a truly exceptional idea came to his mind immediately, although it did not guarantee success.
In the unpredictable world of music, there was no recipe for creating a successful composition. Anfrando admitted that the industry often resembled a lottery: some artists achieved wide recognition, while others fought for it.
One stormy day, Anfrando made a sincere decision. Filled with determination, he declared: "STOP... KOTO IS STILL ALIVE!" His passion burned brightly, igniting a creative fire in him. Collaborating with talented people from TMMC (Terzo Millennio Music Company), including Beppe Barilli, Alex Nocera, Gigi Montanini and their wonderful team, Anfrando decided to breathe new life into his favorite Koto project.
Anfrando realized the importance of respecting the distinctive sound of Italo Disco. He understood the problems faced by composers trying to recreate the nostalgic magic of the past with the help of modern technology. Nevertheless, despite the difficulties, he still sought to fill his music with the essence of Italo Disco. Anfrando's determination to find a balance between creativity, commercial viability and technological advances demonstrated his unwavering love of style and desire to create music that resonated with his loyal audience.
As for today's disco scene, Anfrando admitted that he didn't have much time to explore new trends. First of all, he focused on the project "KOTO STILL ALIVE", putting his heart and soul into its implementation. His unwavering dedication to his craft was evident, and his desire to bring the joy of Italo-disco to his loyal fans remained unwavering.
Since he has reached the end of his life, I must express my deep gratitude to Anfrando Maiola for giving us his unique music and sharing his unusual story with us".
Also, the author of the post, answering a question in the comments, wrote that Anfrando had Parkinson's disease.
