RIP Menotti

[jre58591]

composer gian carlo menotti died today at the age of 95.

https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070201/ap_en_mu/obit_menotti

i personally have only heard one work by him: his ricercare and toccata, which i liked. is anyone here more familiar with this composer? any thoughts?

[arensky]

I have a recording of his Piano Concerto, it's well written mid-20th Century tonal music, quite upbeat and optimistic. The only other works of his I know are the operas. I have played for several scenes from The Old Maid and the Thief, The Consul The Medium and The Telephone. When I was younger I didn't like these works but now I appreciate them for their seamless blending of score and libretto (he wrote both, one of the few opera composers to do so). The dramatic pacing of these pieces is brilliant. Sometimes the music is a bit bland for my taste but at his best ( Monica Monica Dance the Waltz, Steal Me and the final scenes from The Medium ) he's one of the best opera composers ever.

Yes, RIP. I wonder what it's like to be that old...

[sharon_f]

To me the greatest gift he gave the world was the wonderful "Amahl and the Night Visitors." I remember watching it on TV every Chirstmas season as a child. Even now, many years later, I love to listen to the original cast recording during the holidays. 

What a wonderful composer and what a tremendous lost.