Taranto Aragonese Castle
"OUAT" by Giovanni Sollima, a musical composition that interweaves history and modernity




The work
“OUAT,” an acronym for Once Upon A Time. The composition for Taranto’s Aragonese Castle is not only a tribute to its architecture and history, but also an attempt to capture the essence of this place through music, bringing its unique vibration to life.
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"I am looking forward to sharing with you my composition for the Aragonese Castle. I am working to create a work that reflects the history and magnificence of the castle, offering a new perspective through music. Each note is inspired by the richness and complexity of this place."
Giovanni Sollima

The inspiration
When Maestro Piero Romano invited Giovanni Sollima to participate in the “sound” project dedicated to the places of Taranto, the Aragonese Castle was immediately identified as a primary source of inspiration.
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Growing up in Sicily, Sollima has always had a deep connection with historic castles, and Taranto’s Aragonese Castle fascinated him because of its quadrangular plan and its relationship to the city. Sollima designed a melody inspired by the castle’s structure, using metric ratios to create a continuous resonance that expands into a rhythmic “groove” entrusted to percussion. The work’s traditional orchestration includes Harp and Darbouka, instruments that combine archaic sounds with a contemporary dimension.

The place
Sollima’s composition will find a home in Taranto Castle, bringing a new dimension to a visit to this historic monument.
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The work, with its fusion of styles and influences, offers visitors a soundtrack that reflects the castle’s heritage and culture.
Let Sollima’s music take you on a journey between past and present in the history of Taranto, one of the most beautiful experiences to be had in Puglia.

The author
Giovanni Sollima is an Italian composer and cellist known internationally for his eclectic style that blends classical music, rock, and Mediterranean tradition.
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His compositions and performances are celebrated for their originality and virtuosity, making him a leading figure in the contemporary music scene. With OUAT (Once Upon A Time), Sollima brings his artistic vision to Taranto’s Aragonese Castle, creating a composition that reflects the history and culture of this monument.
Reach the Giovanni Sollima Quadro Sonoro
Find out the full route of the Quadri Sonori
Listen to others Quadri Sonori in the area
"Poema Orchestrale per il Duomo di San Cataldo di Taranto" by John Rutter
Cathedral of San Cataldo