Andrea Amici

… but a particular highlight during the service at Crathie was the first public airing of Andrea Amici’s hauntingly beautiful new composition, ‘Mine Eyes unto the Hills‘. It was a joy to listen this piece again at the afternoon concert, but there was something rather special about its being heard for the first time by our congregation. Please pass our thanks to Andrea.

È contemporary music, quella di Amici, che piace senza svendersi, che inventa senza forzare inutilmente, che fluisce da un animo sincero e mosso da passione, talento, e capacità.

Andrea Amici, che si dedica anche alla composizione per altri strumenti e per formazioni strumentali, dimostra in questa sua creazione di saperla lunga in fatto di composizione organistica e ci dimostra come, senza stupire con “effetti speciali”, si possano dire davvero cose nuove in materia di musica organistica, con buona pace di coloro, tra cui talvolta ci si mette anche chi scrive, che sovente si lamentano per lo scarso “spessore” dei nuovi compositori di musica per organo.

And hearing the new, modern works by Amici, di Tullio, Yon, and Ciampa offers even more unexpected delights—it’s heartening to know that composers are still writing solid music for the organ, clearly a heritage that dates back centuries, as shown in this recital.

Un pezzo di grande complessità vocale, che ha come testo il Salmo 28, dove si respira un’atmosfera molto suggestiva.

I listened to your setting of Psalm 116, and it was very beautiful. A very beautiful piece, fine vocal writing, nice use of harmony and counterpoint, with a sensitive piano accompaniment. You are a musical and sophisticated composer. I will listen to more.

You write in a style I wish I could improvise in! Your harmonic language, while unique, is very evocative and impressionistic. The phrases always seemed logical building to a certain point. Also, the change of colors was extremely effective. You should find a way to promote them because I think a lot of organists would like them.