Gino Contilli: Le composizioni dell'ultimo ventennio

Discusses the 12-tone technique used by Gino Contilli (Roma 1907 - Genova 1978), who studied composition with Ottorino Respighi and Ildebrando Pizzetti, and has been among the first Italian composers employing the dodecaphony, and in a very personal way. The essay explores the orchestral production of the last two decades, focusing the polyphonic textures of the orchestral writing, and some experimental aspects of his language. Analyzes the colourful Espressioni sinfoniche (1958-59), whit his symmetrical construction, the counterpoint in the central sections, the triadic structure of the tone row; Immagini sonore (1961-64), for soprano and 11 instruments, where the counterpoint becomes a kaleidoscope of fragments, using an ensemble divided into four different tone-colour groups; the pure timbre quality of the instrumental surfaces interweaving in Preludi (1970), reminding the ramifications in the György Ligeti music, and in Variazioni e notturni (1976), for voice and orchestra.