Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

Italy

Birth

:

October 24, 1962 in Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Giovanni Sollima is a renowned Italian composer and cellist, born on January 24, 1962, in Palermo, Italy. He was born into a family of musicians, with his father, Eliodoro Sollima, being a composer and his mother, Giovanna Giaquinta, a pianist. His brother, Andrea Sollima, is also a composer and conductor. Sollima began his musical training at a young age, studying cello with Giovanni Perriera and composition with his father. He later continued his studies at the Conservatory of Palermo, where he studied with Antonio Janigro and Enrico Dindo. He also studied with Yo-Yo Ma at the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts. Sollima's early compositions were influenced by his Sicilian heritage, incorporating elements of folk music and traditional Sicilian instruments into his works. His music is characterized by its emotional intensity, virtuosity, and eclectic style, blending classical, rock, and world music influences. One of Sollima's most famous works is the cello concerto "Lamentatio," which was commissioned by the Venice Biennale in 1998. The piece is a tribute to the victims of the Mafia and is a powerful expression of grief and mourning. The concerto has been performed by many renowned cellists, including Yo-Yo Ma, who described it as "a masterpiece of our time." Sollima's other notable works include "Violoncelles, Vibrez!" for eight cellos, "Aria" for cello and orchestra, and "Fecit Neap. Anno Domini" for cello and string orchestra. He has also composed music for film and theater, including the score for the film "The Best of Youth" and the opera "Il bell'Antonio." In addition to his work as a composer, Sollima is also an accomplished cellist and has performed with many renowned orchestras and ensembles, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Berlin Philharmonic, and the Kronos Quartet. He is known for his dynamic and passionate performances, which showcase his virtuosic technique and emotional depth. Sollima has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music, including the Premio Abbiati, Italy's highest honor for classical music, and the Prix Italia for his score for the film "The Best of Youth." He has also been recognized for his work as an educator, teaching at the Conservatory of Palermo and the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. In recent years, Sollima has continued to push the boundaries of classical music, collaborating with musicians from diverse genres and backgrounds. He has worked with rock musicians such as Patti Smith and Sting, as well as world music artists such as Ballaké Sissoko and Wu Man. His collaborations have resulted in innovative and exciting new works that blend different musical traditions and styles. Overall, Giovanni Sollima is a highly respected and influential figure in the world of classical music. His compositions and performances have captivated audiences around the world, and his innovative approach to music has helped to expand the boundaries of the classical genre.

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