Das Migrationsthema bei Gianmaria Testa: zur ethischen und ästhetischen Hinterlassenschaft des Liedermachers aus dem Piemont

This article focuses on the work of the Italian Cantautore Gianmaria Testa, who died prematurely this year. In particular, it analyses his concept album Da questa parte del mare (2006), which deals with the issue of migration. In the eleven songs of this album, Testa establishes a link between the migrations of the past and the present, in order to show that human feelings and behaviour do not change in ‘times of crises’. As the article tries to point out, Testa’s musical style and lyrics are the result of an intense aesthetic work. It is based on ethical principles and empathy, it creates intertextual relations with contemporary literary texts and with the Italian tradition of songwriters and reaches a remarkable expressiveness.