By Scott Slapin: ![]( "source: imgur.com")
I just got back from working with the Penn State Viola Ensemble on an upcoming recording of several pieces I've written for them, and I thought I'd put together this short YouTube video for one of them called Cremonus In Italy.
As is well known, Cremonus is the Creator/God of the Viola, the greatest instrument of them all, which was given to mankind in Cremona, Italy more than five hundred years ago. Unlike Berlioz' Harold In Italy (also in four parts and dedicated to the viola), which involves a tourist in the Italian countryside, Cremonus is Himself a native Italian, and therefore the movements depict His more mundane activities, such as a trip to the movies, taking in a concert in the piazza, and dancing a tarantella after too much vino rosso.
The Penn State Viola Ensemble has previously recorded the Finale to my viola opera Violacentrism and can be considered the leading multi-viola ensemble in performing works dedicated to The Holy One, Cremonus. Many thanks to Professor Tim Deighton and all involved for pioneering and leading the effort to bring the sounds and good news of the holy Viola to the world and beyond! I'm very happy with all of their work, and I can imagine it is pleasing unto Cremonus as well!
In Cremonus' Name,
Thy humble servant, Scott Slapin
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I just got back from working with the Penn State Viola Ensemble on an upcoming recording of several pieces I've written for them, and I thought I'd put together this short YouTube video for one of them called Cremonus In Italy.
As is well known, Cremonus is the Creator/God of the Viola, the greatest instrument of them all, which was given to mankind in Cremona, Italy more than five hundred years ago. Unlike Berlioz' Harold In Italy (also in four parts and dedicated to the viola), which involves a tourist in the Italian countryside, Cremonus is Himself a native Italian, and therefore the movements depict His more mundane activities, such as a trip to the movies, taking in a concert in the piazza, and dancing a tarantella after too much vino rosso.