The wind among the reeds [audio]

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Last updated Aug 14, 2020 | Published on Jul 6, 2018

Winner of a fellowship at the Bayreuther Festspiele, Mr. Griglio’s conducting has been praised for his “energy” and “fine details”. Mr. Griglio took part in the first world recording of music by composer Irwin Bazelon and conducted several world premieres like "The song of Eddie", by Harold Farberman, a candidate for the Pulitzer Prize. Principal Conductor of International Opera Theater Philadelphia for four years, Mr.Griglio is also active as a composer. His first opera, Camille Claudel, debuted in 2013 to a great success of audience and critics. Mr. Griglio is presently working on an opera on Caravaggio and Music Director of Opera Odyssey.

The wind among the reeds

by Gianmaria Griglio | for string quartet and piano

Away, come away: Empty your heart of its mortal dream. The winds awaken, the leaves whirl round, Our cheeks are pale, our hair is unbound, Our breasts are heaving, our eyes are agleam, Our arms are waving, our lips are apart; And if any gaze on our rushing band, We come between him and the deed of his hand, We come between him and the hope of his heart.

W.B. Yeats

I know that’s probably the first thing that comes to mind when reading the title: Yeats’ later poems; which, indeed, appeal to my ever-present melancholic side. This piece, however, came out of a memory: a crisp late afternoon in Central Park. I was there quite a few years ago but I still have a vivid impression of this gorgeous sunset in September: there was a couple in their late twenties, he was pushing her on a swing, both trying to push away life problems for a few moments and go back to when you still expect everything to turn out fine.

The wind was gently twirling some fallen leaves around and it took me a little further down the lake where it was whistling through the high grass. I just sat there and enjoyed a brief moment of peace. I remember the feeling as if it was yesterday: the power of memories! I thought of naming the piece “Sunday in the park with George”, except there was no George and someone else had already used it… so Yeats came to mind and there it is. Poetry, it seems, never leaves me alone.

The wind among the reeds

by Gianmaria Griglio | for string quartet and piano

Full scores and parts can be found here.

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Bagatella for cello and piano [audio] →

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15 Comments

Ron on 19/03/2019 at 14:07
I just found your website through Quora: and I’m so glad I did! This is a beautiful piece of music, congratulations! You should publish it!
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- Gianmaria Griglio on 19/03/2019 at 14:32
  Hey Ron, thanks! I’m really glad you liked it!
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Richard on 28/03/2019 at 23:43
The middle part is one of the most melancholic pieces of music I’ve ever heard. It’s gorgeous!
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- Gianmaria Griglio on 28/03/2019 at 23:44
  Thank you, I’m glad you liked it!
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Victoria Mullan on 30/03/2019 at 09:40
What a gorgeous piece! It’s refreshing to find contemporary composers who write this kind of music!
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- Gianmaria Griglio on 30/03/2019 at 09:40
  Thank you! Much appreciated!
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Martin Speeler on 30/03/2019 at 13:16
Beautiful piece! Congratulations! I really enjoyed the counterpoint in it! (besides the melodies of course)
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- Gianmaria Griglio on 30/03/2019 at 13:39
  Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked it!
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Sam Keen on 01/04/2019 at 07:09
Brilliant writing!
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- Gianmaria Griglio on 01/04/2019 at 09:14
  Thank you!
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Walter P. on 17/04/2019 at 14:55
This is a really beautiful piece of music. I love the way the instruments lines (not sure it’s the correct term…) go into one another. And the violin around the middle is so sweet! Bravo!
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- Gianmaria Griglio on 17/04/2019 at 15:05
  Thank you Walter! I’m really glad you liked it.
  By the way: I couldn’t help but notice you have a Rodin’s sculpture as a profile picture…
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  - Walter P. on 17/04/2019 at 15:05
    Yes, I do. It’s one of my favorites!
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    - Gianmaria Griglio on 17/04/2019 at 15:05
      One of my favorites too. This might be of your interest then:
      https://www.gianmariagriglio.it/project/camille-claudel-opera/
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      - Walter P. on 17/04/2019 at 15:14
        Beautiful. Thanks!