JustinSmith

Thanks for the link.

The recordings sound great. I really enjoyed Scelsi's Quattro Pezzi. It sounds like a real interesting piece. The first movement sounds like he was influenced by Middle Eastern & Indian music.

That would be great if you post some youtube videos of the concerts.

ecarroll

Justin,

Scelsi considered himself a "Mediterranean" composer, more than an "Italian" composer. Quattro Pezzi certainly has a distinctive Islamic sound, which you picked up on.

Matt played them very well as an undergrad at McGill, and his interpretation has undoubtably grown with repeated performances, his work at the Lurcerne Festival with Boulez, etc.

Best,
EC

MJ

Sounds like a great trip!

ecarroll

TMers,

We're just back from what turned out to be a fantastic trip.

It was interesting for me to listen to the performances "evolve" (I use quotes because every new performance is an evolution, afterall) from excellent to unforgetable. The last performance in Biella, near Torino, was truly stunning to me -- Amy played on a level that few, including Hakan, achieve, and Philippe was performing on another level as well. We jettisoned the Takemitsu and Powers works for that show (the program, with some commentary, still cracked the 2 hour mark), and I was so impressed by the result that I intend to present this concert at Chosen Vale to welcome the participants there.

Audiences were enthusiastically small, the food excellent, and the wine a bit over-done. We spent a day walking around Venice (Amy's first time) satisfying my annual pilgrimage there as well.

I'm glad to be home. . . and can't wait to do it again.

Best,
EC

Original_Username

Sounds like a beautiful trip. Speaking of Italia, I can't believe I missed Chris Botti here in Beijing on his Italia tour!!!!

AH! I was so angry that I couldn't go. I heard from a friend (who hadn't even heard of Chris Botti's music!) that he ended up walking with the audience members and took photos! Grrrr...

MJ

Post some pics if you got em. Sounds like you had a great time!

mazzrick

ed,

not really on topic, but i saw you linked to my sight and that my recordings page was in serious disarray. anyway, i fixed it... so link away.

matt

Vulgano Brother

Ed, find any Pizza for under 5 Euros while you were there? Hear any hot-rod boats on the canals while trying to sleep? Go up to the tower to hear the bells at 5:00pm? What kind of mouthpieces did everybody use?

Welcome back!

ecarroll

Matt,

Your site is always in my musical sights. Thank you.

Vulg,

1) Yes, but they were slices.
2) We didn't spend the night, but the vaporetti have only dulcet tones to me.
3) I've done Quasimodo under the bells (think it was 6:00?) on earlier trips, but not this time.
4) Very boring, conventional ones. I'm a boring, conventional teacher and my students mirror every single one of my thoughts. . .just ask 'em (snapping my gum).

Clarino, Quinta, Alto e basso, Vulgano, Basso,
EC

Vulgano Brother

Non Monteverdi - Bendenelli!

Quinte don't bother me, but those Alti e bassi absolutely give me the creeps!

Welcome back, congratulations to all, and thanks for pushing the envelope worldwide!