Canzona di Bacco

This piece consists of a series of variations on the melody of "Ami, dans cette vie" ("Friend, in this life"), a French song from the 18th century. Like the famous poem "Canzona di Bacco" by Lorenzo de' Medici, this song invites the listener to enjoy life, friendship, love and wine while there is still time. The epicurean nature of this text contrasts with a deeply melancholic melody - a contradiction that is reflected in this work. After a somewhat turbulent first section, the original melody is heard again in a calm and reflective middle section, in which several soloists can be heard. In the last movement, the atmosphere changes and becomes increasingly exuberant, like a Bacchus invocation. The piece concludes with a final radiant version of the original theme. Canzona di Bacco was commissioned by the Vesoul Municipal Wind Orchestra, which gave the world premiere of the work on 24 June 2022 at the Théâtre Edwige Feuillère in Vesoul (France) under the direction of Mathieu Anguenot.