No.1 hit-single writer discusses the importance of classical music

As Miley Cyrus celebrates the seventh anniversary of Wrecking Ball, her first single to reach number one in the US, the song’s writer Stephan Moccio releases his debut album Tales of Solace as he revisits his background in classical music during lockdown.

Moccio hails a return to the basics as a result of lockdown. Mentally reflective, he says ‘honesty and vulnerability, as clichéd as it sounds, are more important than ever’. Musically, he’s also had an instrumental homecoming after the synth-dominated pop world, adding ‘I came up with this concept of returning to simplicity; real, authentic instruments’.

Moccio reminisces over piano lessons as a child in his latest interview with The Metro, and how his earliest memories are of Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Bach - a classical background which went on to inspire his pop writing.

‘Take Wrecking Ball, that melody is a classical melody’, he adds. ‘People may not realise but there is a lot of classical music disguised as pop production.’

Moccio has discussed the importance of classical music before, stating in 2016 that ‘I recognise value in live musicians, creative pop writing and electronic programming. But really, classical music provides the best foundation for musicians and songwriters.’ You can read that full interview here.

Listen to Moccio explaining and playing excerpts of his new album live on ClassicFM, and head here for the full debut album.