Fanfara Del Mare (Sea Fanfare)
Fanfara del Mare “Su un Tema di Monteverdi” (Sea Fanfare “On a Theme by Monteverdi”)
per organo e orchestra
Published: 2015, Panastudio/Casa Ricordi (Universal Music)
Orchestra: 2,2(1-1),2,2;4,3,3,1;tmp;1perc;hp;str; organo
Duration: 5 min.
World Premiere:
November 1, 2015; San Diego Symphony; Copley Symphony Hall
Recordings:
To Be Determined
For other premieres, visit: Performances
Per la San Diego Symphony Orchestra, nel centenario del Balboa Park e il Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2015
(For the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, on the centennial of Balboa Park and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2015)
Basata sul mottetto “O Sia Tranquillo il Mare, O Pien d’Orgoglio” di Claudio Monteverdi.
(Based on the motet “O Sia Tranquillo il Mare, O Pien d’Orgoglio” by Claudio Monteverdi.)
The Sea Fanfare is a short, happy fanfare/overture styled work that begins with a warm, sparkly sea effect introduction depicting the sunny waters of San Diego. Perhaps Di Vittorio’s connection with Ottorino Respighi is most apparent here. Though the organ is not treated as a solo instrument, it does take an immediate prominent role as it introduces the main theme – a motif inspired by Monteverdi’s madrigal “O Sia Tranquillo il Mare, O Pien d’Orgoglio” (Oh How Tranquil is the Sea, Full of Pride”), which Di Vittorio thought was quite fitting for San Diego and the Balboa centennial.
The sea effect quickly turns into a (ritornello type) fanfare showcasing the brass. This music is followed by a slow interlude/middle section with a poignant, memorable operatic perhaps film-like melody.
During this slower passage, the audience will feel as if they are getting closer to (or walking towards) the Balboa Park merry-go-round, a distinct music which takes over and then subsides back to complete the slower section. (Natives of San Diego, will recognize a re-orchestrated variation of the Balboa carousel music – as marked in the score and parts for musicians.)
The fanfare returns, merged with a festive spagnolo section (a Ballo Madrigalesco) honoring the explorer Balboa and the park’s Spanish influence etc. The sea effect returns for a quick coda bringing together the themes in a picturesque, triumphal closing.