​Dino DiMuro - Mozart's 17th

​​Dino DiMuro

Mozart's 17th
self-released; 2023

​By Matt Jensen

​Dino DiMuro, a name perhaps familiar to denizens of this very site is not only a writer but a musician. Yet, his latest endeavor doesn't merely showcase his multifaceted talents; it resurrects a relic from the annals of time, remastering a song birthed in the womb of 1990.

In DiMuro's own words, his musical evolution traces back to the late '80s, where he delved into the intricacies of piano technique and the rich tapestry of classical music. "Mozart's 17th," is genre fusion that transplants the hallowed themes of Mozart's symphony into the fertile soil of rock-prog experimentation. Aptly dubbed "Mozart Meets Zappa," DiMuro's composition straddles the line between a number of different genres in my opinion.

As the song unfurls, one is immediately greeted by a surge of energy, propelled forth by the unmistakable timbres of vintage synths. Echoes of chip-tune reverberate through the song bringing to mind old Nintendo games as well as all of the music it inspired decades later. It's a testament to DiMuro's unique approach for marrying the old with the new. Yet, it's not merely a sonic collage; it's a lyrical jaunt through the whimsical corridors of Mozart's life.  

With tongue firmly planted in cheek, DiMuro regales listeners with the tale of a "gorgeous little boy with the deepest, darkest eyes" who metamorphoses into a "froggy-looking big nose kind of guy," navigating a comical yet fairly accurate representation.

Amidst the ebbs and flows of the song's dynamic trajectory, one encounters an experimental zenith that harkens back to the psychedelic odysseys of Pink Floyd and the avant-garde musings of Frank Zappa. Here, DiMuro's invocation of the late composer's name becomes a mantra, a sonic incantation that blurs the boundaries between homage and innovation. Yet, what truly sets "Mozart's 17th" apart is its unapologetic embrace of nostalgia, its whimsical exploration of historical figures, and its refusal to take itself too seriously.

​Clocking in at under three minutes, it's a whirlwind journey through the corridors of musical eccentricity, leaving listeners yearning for more. Indeed, one can't help but wonder: could an entire album of such audacious experimentation be lurking on the horizon? If so, count me in for the ride.

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