Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 4:00 PM
Live Concert & Streaming
Organized by Notturno Musica
The Program
These days mark the 101st anniversary of Rhapsody in Blue (first performed on February 12, 1924), a masterpiece by George Gershwin—a polychrome fantasy and a musical kaleidoscope of New York, offering one of the most representative expressions of early 20th-century American culture. The concert opens with a tribute to this extraordinary composition, followed by pieces from the 20th century that, though stylistically diverse, share a common rejection of certain technical-academic experimentalism in favor of a musical language that prioritizes communicative immediacy.
Thus, the program continues with Debussy’s Rhapsody (a formidable example of Impressionist art, with its emphasis on instrumental “colors”), followed by the famous film music of Nino Rota, connected to works by distinguished English composers such as Arnold and Templeton—both prolific creators of film scores. The concert also dedicates a special moment to Astor Piazzolla, whose (Tango) Seasons symbolize the fusion of high and popular culture, a hallmark of the 20th century.
George Gershwin
- Rhapsody in Blue
Claude Debussy
- Première Rhapsodie
Nino Rota – Roberto Cognazzo
- Rotazione on film music
Astor Piazzolla
- Invierno Porteño
Malcolm Arnold
- Sonatina Op. 29 (Allegro con brio – Andantino – Furioso)
Alec Templeton
- Pocket Size Sonata (Improvisation – Modal Blues – In Rhythm)
The Artists
The Ciliberti-Rotolo Duo was founded in Bari with the aim of promoting 20th-century chamber music alongside the classical repertoire. The duo’s members, graduates of the “Piccinni” Conservatory of Music in Bari under the guidance of Maestri Portino, Lupo, and Campagnola, later refined their studies with renowned musicians such as Brymer, Mariozzi, Pay, Chiesa, Camicia, Wibronsky, Perry, Medori, and Canino. They have gained recognition on both national and international levels, winning scholarships and competitions as soloists and chamber musicians. Their concert activity extends across Italy and abroad (USA, France, Germany, England, Spain, Greece, Malta, Austria, Morocco, Egypt, Romania, Poland, Moldova, Bulgaria, and India). They have recorded for labels such as Fonit-Cetra, Warner Music, Bongiovanni, Rugginenti, Phoenix Classics, Enja Records, and MusicaImmagine, and their performances have been broadcast by RAI, Radio Malta, Vatican Radio, Radio Europa International, Radio Medi One, Radio Südwestfunk, and other national and international networks. Alongside their concert activity, they also teach at the State Conservatories of Music in Foggia and Monopoli.
Giambattista Ciliberti
Giambattista Ciliberti began his musical career by earning a diploma with honors from the “Piccinni” Conservatory of Bari under M° B. Portino. He furthered his studies with J. Brymer, V. Mariozzi, and A. Pay, and specialized in chamber music under M° R. Chiesa. He has won numerous national and international awards, including scholarships and competitions both as a soloist and in chamber ensembles.
He has collaborated with various opera and symphony orchestras, including the Ferrara Youth Orchestra, Teatro Petruzzelli Orchestra, and Bari Provincial Symphony Orchestra. In 1987, he founded the Mauro Giuliani Trio (Flute, Clarinet, and Guitar), an uncommon ensemble that has performed extensively in Italy and internationally at prestigious venues such as Teatro Massimo (Palermo), Teatro Giordano (Foggia), Teatro Piccinni (Bari), Théâtre Charles Dullin (Chambéry, France), and India International Center (New Delhi). The ensemble has recorded five CDs for Warner Music, Fonit Cetra, Bongiovanni, Rugginenti, and Phoenix Classics, and their performances have been broadcast on RAI, Spanish National Radio, Radio Malta, Vatican Radio, and Radio Europa International.
As principal clarinet of the wind project La Banda, he has performed with Pino Minafra at major festivals, including Donaueschingen Musiktage (Germany), Saalfelden Festival (Austria), Festival de La Villette (Paris), and Queen Elizabeth Hall Festival (London). He has recorded a double CD for Enja Records (Baden-Baden) and MusicaImmagine (Rome).
He continues his concert career in chamber ensembles, primarily as part of a clarinet-piano duo, performing for prestigious institutions such as the Segovia Foundation (Linares, Spain) and the Palace of Culture (Barcelona). He is also the principal clarinet of the Collegium Musicum orchestra and has performed at renowned venues such as the Quirinal Palace (Rome) and the University Concerts of Naples. A winner of the national competition for music professorships, he teaches Clarinet at the Conservatory of Foggia.
Piero Rotolo
Born in Mola di Bari, Piero Rotolo is active as a concert pianist, teacher, and music organizer. He began his musical studies under M° Nicola Diomede and graduated with top honors from the “Niccolò Piccinni” Conservatory in Bari, studying with Giuseppe Campagnola and Benedetto Lupo. He further refined his skills with renowned pianists such as Franco Medori, Pierluigi Camicia, Adam Wibronsky, John Perry, and Bruno Canino (for chamber music). Additionally, he studied Composition with Raffaele Gervasio and Musical Analysis with Lorenzo Fico.
A winner of over 20 national and international piano and chamber music competitions, he has performed in major venues in Italy, Spain, Poland, France, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, and the U.S. (including Steinway Hall in New York, Segovia Foundation in Spain, and Williamson Theatre in New York). His repertoire includes both classical and lesser-known works, such as Enoch Arden Op. 38 by R. Strauss. He has collaborated with the Traetta Chamber Orchestra on the recording of Profili, featuring modern and contemporary composers from the Puglia region. He has also worked extensively to promote the works of Niccolò van Westerhout (1857–1898), performing and recording his compositions for RAI Video Classic.
Since 2000, he has been invited to perform in New York for cultural events organized by the Italian Cultural Institute in the USA and the Van Westerhout Cultural Activities. He has served on the juries of national and international piano competitions and holds a professorship at the “Nino Rota” State Conservatory of Music in Monopoli, following a national selection process.
- For members of the Notturno Musica Association: Free with reservation
- For non-members: Contribution of €12.00 (subject to availability)
- Link for live streaming: Contribution of €6.00
For more information and reservations:
Phone: +39 349 6375975 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.notturnomusica.org
