Canzone XXXI

Canzone XXXI

In the decade or so from 1290 to 1300, Dante occupied himself with the study of philosophy and theology as well as writing a collection of poetic works accompanied by prose commentary entitled," La Vita Nuova". In this collection of sonnets, ballads and canzone, there are five in the latter form, two of those unfinished. I became interested in these, particularly in terms of poetic structure and emotional content.

As well, my longstanding love for the Canzone, and Ricercare of the Venetian composer Giovanni Gabrielli (c. 1600) infuses this work with its sonorous radiance. The work was commissioned by the Fromm Foundation for the American Brass Quintet and is dedicated to these extraordinary musicians. It was premiered at the opening of the Harris Concert Hall at the Aspen Music Festival in August, 1993, and was released on CD by Bridge Records. A second recording is available on Albany Records.