The collection 'Canti di stagione' can be linked to the recent 'rediscovery' of Antonio Vivaldi, particularly the universal success of his 'Four Seasons' concertos.
Composition History
Ennio Porrino's 'Canti di stagione' (Songs of the Seasons) was composed in 1934, a more joyful period in his life, coinciding with his attendance at Ottorino Respighi's advanced composition course.
Composer Biography
Ennio Porrino's symphonic poem 'Sardegna' was first conducted by Bernardino Molinari in 1934 and became his most frequently performed and well-known composition, performed by prestigious conductors like Stokowski.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Ennio Porrino's 'I canti dell'esilio' reflects his ideological choice to select texts linked to a 'tradition' and to craft a musical language with clear melody and prosody, supported by modal and chromatic harmonies influenced by Debussy.
Compositional Technique
The first twelve songs of 'I canti dell'esilio' were originally written for voice and small orchestra, and later an unpublished piano version used sparse writing with ostinatos and 'empty' thirds.
Historical Context
The 'exile' in the title 'I canti dell'esilio' refers to Ennio Porrino's forced distance from Rome, his home, and his family after he joined the Italian Social Republic of Salò in Autumn 1943.
Composition History
Ennio Porrino's 'I canti dell'esilio' (Songs of Exile) was composed during the final, tragic year of 1945, when the Italian Social Republic of Salò disintegrated.
