A taste of La Dolce Vita on Till Brönner’s new full-length ‘Italia’
The sun-drenched streets of Rome, the breeze of the Mediterranean, the effortless dolce vita – few places in the world evoke such longing and good memories as Italy, the world’s favourite holiday destination. On his new album Italia, Grammy-nominated trumpeter and producer Till Brönner brings the golden age of Italian songwriting back to life, reinterpreting timeless classics from the 1970s and early 80s with the sophisticated elegance we have come to expect from him.
Italian songs – alongside French chansons, Spanish canciones, and German Schlager – formed a pan-European soundtrack that crossed borders and generations. Italian hits filled French airwaves, lined the shelves of German record stores, and even influenced British artists. It was an era of curiosity and connection, when music served as a shared language of hope and imagination.
On this new album Brönner pays homage to the great cantautori – the poetic Italian singer-songwriters of the era – adding cinematic flourishes reminiscent of classic film scores, and adding an original composition that blends seamlessly with the repertoire, so much so it takes a look at the credits to realize it doesn’t stem from that same golden era of Italian songwriting. Produced by Nicola Conte in Rome and Bari, Italia is a tribute to melody, rhythm, and the good life.
In addition to classics by legendary cantautori Lucio Battisti, Paolo Conte and Tony Renis, Italia also features rarities from the Italian pop culture of that era – songs that never gained recognition beyond the country’s borders, and iconic film scores by Ennio Morricone, Piero Piccioni and Franco Micalizzi. Combining cinematic elegance with irresistible groove, Brönner crafts a lush soundscape that is as evocative as it is effortlessly stylish.
As well as playing trumpet and flugelhorn, Italia also features Brönner’s singing. For the first time on a studio album, he sings in Italian – including on first single “Viva la Felicità”, a joyful reimagining of the theme song from iconic 70s cartoon series “Il Signor Rossi Cerca La Felicità”, and on “L’Appuntamento”, the melancholic global hit made famous by Ornella Vanoni. The album alternates between instrumental tracks – shaped by Brönner’s unmistakable tone – and vocal pieces performed by absolute dream guests: Chiara Civello, Sera Kalo, Mario Biondi, Mandy Capristo, and Giovanni Zarrella.
Till Brönner spent part of his childhood in Rome, and this is what shaped this album. Perhaps Italia is his most personal album yet: “Some records come from a feeling. This one came from pure love”. Today, as divisions seem to grow, Brönner reminds us of what once brought us together – and what still can. Italia is an invitation to rediscover the warmth, openness, and spirit of a Europe that believes in itself.
‘Italia’ out on 2LP / CD / Digital on September 5th 2025 via earMusic/Edel
