Mythical Dances at Carnegie Hall - About Nino Rota's Dances from the film Il Gattopardo (The Leopard)

From the Music Director:

Our 2014/15 season kicks off with a program entitled "Mythical Dances" on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 7:30pm - Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall.

This will be a wonderful evening focusing on works for small orchestra. The program includes Respighi's lush Deita Silvane, and lighthearted Serenata, Richard Strauss' absolutely enchanting Morgen, and the seldom performed Dances for the film Il Gattopardo (The Leopard) by Italian film composer Nino Rota. We will also give the world premiere of Oraculum Apollonis by Respighi Prize winner Daniel Muck of Austria. American soprano Stacey Mastrian will be the featured artist on Respighi's Deita and Strauss' Morgen.

Most of the these works are part of the standard repertoire, aside from the new work by Muck and  Respighi's Serenata which was only printed recently thanks to the Respighi family's permission to allow me to publish its first printed edition in 2012.

It is the Dances from the film Il Gattopardo (The Leopard) that truly deserves our special attention. A work which has probably never been performed in New York, or at least by a professional New York orchestra. We are more familiar with Rota's films scores to many Fellini films and, of course, his monumental scores to The Godfather films. Il Gattopardo is a recognized masterpiece of Italian cinema directed by Luchino Visconti. It recounts the story of the Italian Risorgimento, as experienced through the lives of a Sicilian Prince, Fabrizio Salina, and his family. American actor Burt Lancaster starred in the film.

The Dances are loosely based on the music of Giuseppe Verdi, yet the freedom of the musical lines and light, intelligent orchestration allows us to witness the true genius of Nino Rota. The work is enchanting, and lifts up the spirit - bringing us back to the times of waltzes, banquets and long summer afternoons. It will be a joy to have this on the program together with 20th century music of Richard Strauss and Ottorino Respighi - and the world premiere of a 21st century work!

Wont you join us?! Please share our e-newsletter with family, friends and colleagues.

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Hope to meet you after the concert!

Salvatore Di Vittorio
Music Director & Conductor
Chamber Orchestra of New York

Photo: Nino Rota

Music Director Salvatore Di Vittorio & Chamber Orchestra of New York Announce 2014/15 Season

Chamber Orchestra of New York and its Music Director Salvatore Di Vittorio announce its 2014/15 Season. The orchestra continues its Masterwork Series at Carnegie Hall, along with its community concerts such as its debut at the Adelphi Performing Arts Center in Long Island and other performances throughout the season.

Read more from the season e-newsletter!

A Note from the Music Director: About "To English Masters"
Thursday, May 29th at 7:30pm - Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall

Dear Friends,

I am writing to you about our wonderful upcoming program on May 29th at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. This is indeed a very special musical celebration.

It is uncommon enough for an orchestra to celebrate any major composer in affiliation with his/her archive or foundation. And we have been honored to showcase the legacy of Ottorino Respighi over the years.

Read more from the e-newsletter... 

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The Beatles 50th Anniversary of U.S. Debut, and WQXR's Timeline "The Beatles Meet Classical Music"

From our Music Director, Salvatore Di Vittorio:

9, February 2014 - New York

WQXR 105.9FM, New York's leading classical music radio station, has published a very interesting timeline surrounding The Beatles' 50th anniversary of their U.S. debut (on February 9th).

WQXR "The Beatles Meet Classical Music"

I felt compelled to write about this event since, as a composer, I am often confronted by friends, family and colleagues especially about the nature of (and even the debate over musical quality) in composition - including songwriting.

Why are The Beatles still alive and a part of our musical culture? Posterity (for the most part) excludes mediocrity. If John Lennon and Paul McCartney were born during the Renaissance period, they would have been great polyphonic composers. If you study music history you can actually trace and make connections between their music and English Renaissance music. I was therefore not at all surprised to see Paul McCartney move into classical music later on in life. (This comes from a composer who began his first few years in composition as a songwriter.)

Finally, The Beatles' sound and overall production was enhanced by the vision and the orchestral arrangements of their brilliant producer George Martin, a classical composer. No George Martin, no Beatles - at least as we know and appreciate the group today.

I hope that we continue to remind young students and musicians alike (including professional musicians) about this sort of thing when they hear silly comments about the possible death of classical music.

Speaking of English music: Chamber Orchestra of New York will feature a program of English music entitled "To English Masters" on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 7:30pm at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. The program will include first printed editions by Oxford University Press of rediscovered early works of Ralph Vaughan Williams (in collaboration with the Vaughan Williams Trust in London) alongside rare works of William Walton (in collaboration with the Walton Trust) and Benjamin Britten's Simple Symphony in honor of the Britten centennial anniversary.

To English Masters at Weill/Carnegie Hall on May 29th

Our next concert is Thursday, February 13th at Weill Hall/Carnegie Hall:
The Italian Baroque at Weill/Carnegie Hall on February 13th

For more information, please visit our Concert Season webpage:
2013/2014 Concert Season