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@stefanopenazzi
In my music, I search for balance between polar-harmonic made relations, avant-garde formal approaches, orchestration extending techniques and thematic handling of musical material.
After the teachings of maestros Nicola Straffellini and Alberto Colla, I strongly believe in a nature-based structure of musical phenomenon. Sounds must entangle and combine themselves in a harmonic way. The logic of attraction between sounds as harmonic partial polarities is a physical evidence and reflection of the underlying foundation of many harmonical phenomena (not only sound related), forming the cosmos.
However, I also think that all historical evolutions of musical structures, from monodic chant to post-webernian serialism, must be included as an archetypical settlement in musical piece writing. Therefore, using scales and chords from a purely auditive tension-relaxation perspective, could give inner structural solidity to the music flow. We must not forget that music only flows in time, linearly, so structures such as similarities, melodic cellules and all the traditional inner genetic matrix of musical phenomenon cannot be set aside. This is the baseline for comprehension of a musical happening, in order to be understood by musicians and listeners.
Both of these pillars must be sustained by an orchestration able to underline and clarify the structure but in a perfect fit with the harmonic verticality. Extended techniques from the avant-garde conquests could help in that way: enlarge expression, sharpen pitch and magnify gesture as key roles in the score. I believe in using these techniques properly to define borders and perspective rather than per se, as a sensationalism and meaningless spectacle. Integration of these techniques with the traditional way of producing sound is my personal goal, to achieve a floating expressive and functional balance evolving in each piece. In this way the use of thematic cellules, rhythms or chords form a generating idea gives shape and meaning to all material. I deduce from a single “theme-cloud” all scales, chords and harmonic polarities of a piece, in a constant effort for coherence, holding onto the time flow of the music.
All of these characteristics give a clear traditional taste to each piece, enriched with a layer of glimmering complexity describing the overflowing contemporaneity of the over-input-environments we are living in.
Stefano Penazzi
Sinai
Chamber ensemble
2023
SINAI
A piece on the biblical mount Sinai, with his wind and mystical aura to divinity.First movement echoing winds and destiny, blown by sand and anxiety. Second movement on stars contemplation in the desert. Third one, a dance around the golden calf.
Score
Trois tableaux d'après Da ponte
String Orchestra
2023
TROIS TABLEAUX D’APRÈS DA PONTE
Tripartite overture in which each panel is inspired by a Mozartian musical gesture belonging to the Dapontian trilogy. Furthermore, each panel is inspired by some characteristics of the trilogy's combination of music and text: the lightness of the cosi fan tutte, the lyricism of the mariage of Figaro and the unsettling rush of Don Giovanni. In fact, music magnifies these musical-conceptual cues in a dense thematic and technical development.
Prometeo rescued
Orchestra
2022
PROMETEO RESCUED
Prometheus, the Titan, is tied up to rock, suffering in a never ending punishment.His mind flows back to the remembrance of what he did: the severity of prohibition (theme), the thrill of steal of fire (first variation), till the suspended nothing of pain he is living in (second variation). But, in the end, the rocambolesque appearance of Hercules, (third variation), saves him in a powerful and heroic act.
Score
La nuit de la mer
String Quartet2021
LA NUIT DE LA MER
The peace suggests the overwhelming sensation occurring at
the composer in observing the sea at night. Waves and the
dark impenetrable color of the water, full of dangers and
unknow. But, in a zoom out perspective the moon would
appear, self-reflecting with cold glimmering lights on the
agitated horizon in an aethereal aura of cold mystery.
Score
Magnolia enneigé
Trio: violin cello piano2021
MAGNOLIA ENNEIGÉ
The title comes from the view of a magnificent magnolia in Bruxelles in a spring easter day. The extraordinary fact was that this fully bloomed tree was covered in snow, nevertheless the spring season. Following the oxymoronic contrast, a sensation of discomfort and runaway desire held the composer.
Score
Skyrocket rondo
Orchestra2021
TONAL MUSIC
SKYROCKET RONDO
The piece is solidly tonal, in a rondo’ form. Fraseggios dynamic and excitement combined with uplifting theme would suggest an adventurous journey in harsh landscape full of
happenings, dangers and fantastic appearances. A search of a great mystery, as the holy Grail. A journey that, even when reached the object of search, never stops till the joyful
conclusion.
Score
So dynamic
Wind Orchestra2015
TONAL MUSIC
The Piece develops in four parts describing different memories related with landscapes of composer’s living place, Verona. The first panel takes from a main theme exposed by horns and Saxes on a percussion pattern by trombones and percussions. In this part a playground it’s represented with all the childish energy and cute solemn approach to simple things. After this the solemnity flows into a severe church litany by the euphonium solo. Third part represent a well know walk in Montorio Valley near Verona: starting from shady wood a country path disentangle slowly until a wide landscape view which includes all beauty in valley, from rivers to ancient church at the top of a hill surrounded by vineyards and framed by weeping willows leaves. Reaching the climax this section ends sharply into a joyous rondò that would represent the happiness and energy of diving by any way in this beauty and sunny landscape.
Score
Quest(io)
Mixed Choir2015
The piece represents the path of acquiring self- awareness. Starting from an innocent initialphase, through reflections and external “pulses”, that seem external but are always part of the same system, the piece goes into a tragic fall and uncertainty despair. At the climax of this struggle there is an epiphany as deep understanding moment, from which the renewed system, transcending the negativemoment happened before, reaches full self- awareness and confidence.
Score
Nostos
(νόστος)
Flute and String Orchestra
2014
The title refers to coming back journeys of some characters related to epic Greek cycle of the Odyssey. In particular, the “nostos” is of course a physical journey but also a symbol for a path of inner growth for character who is living that experience. Therefore, someone have to face several difficulties and reflections forced by events and this kind of dialog allows strong maturation.