Harmony and composition workshop
The beginning
Since the beginning of the 80's, in Bologna was started a diocesan school dedicated to the liturgic-musical animators, with the aim of acculturate, not only from a musical point of view, who, often using only his goodwill, tried to commit to these tasks in his own parishes.
This school, required, founded and directed by Rev. Giancarlo Soli, did slowly enlarged its horizons and in the last years, an harmony course was estabilished.
This course was led by young and talented musicians, graduated as composers, who were capable to interest a small group of students.
The first one was Roberto Di Cecco (from 2006 to 2009), then Andrea Sarto (2009/10) and finally Rocco De Cia (2010/11).
In 2011 the school was closed but, thanks to few students deire, Rev. Soli's support and Rocco's great helpfullness, it was possible to save at least the harmony course.
From 2012 it was started this experience, in the beginning with Rocco De Cia (2012-2018) and from 2018 until 2020 has been carried on by Paolo Molinari (stopped by the Covid emergency). Step by step, it has begun to bear good fruits: here we try to show some of them.
An ancient style mass
In 2013 spring, closing a couple of years of studies on counterpoint, three pieces from the first students and they were executed during an Holy Mass on May 26th at San Giuliano church in Bologna.
The tunes were composed in a counterpoint style based on the gregorian melody Veni creator spiritus and they were all revised by Rocco De Cia.
They were performed by:
the San Giuliano parish choir (plus some reinforcement,
Giovanni Caini played the organ,
Rocco De Cia was the director
The tunes were:
Kyrie (Angelo Pietra): score - mp3 - musescore
Sanctus (Gianni Ragno): score - mp3 - musescore
Agnus Dei (Michele Ferrari): score - mp3 - musescore
Harmonic series
A two parts study from Gianni Ragno using the same harmonic functions as in Prelude XVII from Well tempered Clavier, Vol. I, J.S. Bach
score - mp3 - musescore (with functional notes)
A clavier study from Gianni Ragno using free harmonic series in a classical style
score - mp3 - musescore (with functional notes)
A real test
On October 1st the Pope will be in Bologna and he will celebrate an Holy Mass. One of the song choosen is Isaia 62 from Silvia Gardi. As it has been decided to use guitars, two flutes and one clarinet, Gianni Ragno was asked to enrich the harmonization from Rev. Francesco Vecchi (I hope he will let me publish it). Here it is.