Giuliani

An acclaimed Italian guitar virtuoso and composer, Mauro Giuliani, along with Fernando Sor, was one of the last great classical proponents of his instrument until its revival in the early twentieth century. He studied counterpoint and the cello, but on the six-string guitar he was entirely self-taught, and that became his principal instrument early on. Italy abounded with fine guitarists at the beginning of the nineteenth century (Carulli remains the most familiar today), but few of them could make a living because of the public's preoccupation with opera. So Giuliani embarked on a successful tour of Europe when he was 19, and in 1806 he settled in Vienna, where he entered the musical circle of Diabelli, Moscheles, and Hummel. He solidified his reputation with the 1808 premiere of his Guitar Concerto in A major, Op. 30, and was soon heralded as the greatest living guitar virtuoso. Even Beethoven noticed Giuliani, and wrote of his admiration for him. Perhaps to return the favor, Giuliani played cello in the 1813 premiere of Beethoven's Symphony No. 7.

Rosario Giuliani è un sassofonista jazz italiano. Le sue collaborazioni sono innumerevoli. Tra le altre ricordiamo quelle con Kenny Wheeler, Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Cedar Walton, Phil Woods, Cameron Brown, Joe Locke, Donald Harrison e in Italia con Enrico Rava, Maurizio Giammarco, Tullio de Piscopo, Franco D'Andrea, Giovanni Tommaso, Enrico Pieranunzi, Dado Moroni, Javier Girotto e Flavio Boltro.

Amazing deeds and performances on the verge of acrobatics: this is how Emilia Giuliani’s executions are described in the chronicles of the time.She seems to intend to challenge the guitar she is holding and the audience,ready to marvel at the feats shown by the performer on the stage, enthusiastically applauds. But the skills of a virtuoso also lies in being able to conceal from the viewers the effort necessary to perform whirls and funambolic gestures. And Emilia’s, in particular, is a challenge in the challenge: in addition to demonstrating great dexterity in performing,those who play her music must also indulge in the daintiness of a musicality with a vocal imprint.The distinguishing feature of this musician,however, is herboundlesspassionforItalianoperaandespeciallyBellini’s:itisnocoincidencethatmost of her compositions are variations or fantasias on arias wrote by the Sicilian master.