Vittorio Giannini

Vittorio Giannini (October 19, 1903 – November 28, 1966) was an neoromantic American composer of operas, songs, symphonies, and band works.

Musical style

Giannini was a throwback to the Romantic tradition, particularly considering that most of his American musical contemporaries were exploring the realms of neoclassicism. He rejected the academicism of much of the music of his contemporaries, stating that his works were motivated by "an unrelenting quest for the beautiful, with the humble hope that I may be privileged to achieve this goal, if only for one precious moment and share this moment with my listeners." His main influences were the composers of the late Romantic period, particularly the chromaticism of Richard Wagner; as Giannini's style developed it grew in darkness, intensity, and tonal adventurousness, exploring dissonance without succumbing to modernism. In general Giannini's works were well-received; the modernists, however, held his music in little regard, and critic Arthur Cohn described him as "a 20th century composer using well sharpened tools of the 19th century.?

Related Topics:
Neoclassicism - Richard Wagner - Modernists

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Giannini's works, particularly the later vocal works, are regarded as prime examples of the American neoromantic style; others of the American neoromantic school include Samuel Barber and Howard Hanson.

Related Topics:
Samuel Barber - Howard Hanson

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