Laudate Dominum - Ivo Antognini

Laudate Dominum by Ivo Antognini http://www.ivoantognini.com
published by Walton Music https://www.giamusic.com/store/resour...
performed by MSU CHORALE - Cameron LaBarr, conductor
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About the Work

I have only written two pieces dedicated to deceased friends: The first, Wah-bah-dah-bah-doo-bee!, was written in memory of Marco Fratantonio, a former student of mine and wonderful accordion player, who, on July 5, 2007, passed away at the young age of 35 from a brain tumor.
The second is Laudate Dominum, and the story of its creation is quite unique. This was a commission for which I had already chosen the text. After a month of unsuccesful attempts, I began to fear that I would not come up with a suitable beginning for the piece in time. My idea was to write a joyful and exciting composition, but all the ideas that came were sad and rather slow.
This was because my friend Francesco had been suffering from a grave illness, gradually inching closer to death. Francesco had sung for years in the small church choir that my wife directs. One morning in December 2017, before the mass was to begin, Marina, the wife of Francesco, announced to the entire congregation, with great strength and courage, that her husband had sadly passed away.
She recounted how he had spent his last days of life, at home with his family and the many friends that came to visit him, and the dignity that he showed during his most painful moments. Upon hearing those words—and I will never be able to explain why—I had the inspiration for Laudate Dominum. When I arrived home, I began to write the piece, which was finished very quickly.
I should add that the mass which followed Marina’s words was very special; even the priest spoke at length about Francesco, of their friendship, and what they had shared together. Francesco was a good man that loved his family, he was well-liked with a strong faith, and he had a great sense of humor and love for music.
The world premiere of Laudate Dominum took place on July 5, 2017 in Assisi, at the Basilica di San Francesco. To be seated beside Marina and one of Francesco’s daughters, Barbara, and to see some of the singers with tears in their eyes during the performance of this piece, was truly a moving experience.

Ivo Antognini