Griffes: Roman Sketches: The Fountain of the Acqua Paola (James Chang, Senior Recital 5 of 11)

Charles Griffes
Roman Sketches, Op. 7
III. The Fountain of the Acqua Paola

SPEECH TRANSCRIPT
My next piece will be The Fountain of the Acqua Paola from Griffes' Roman Sketches. Like Gaspard de la nuit, the "Roman Sketches" was also based on poems, in this case, Sospiri di Roma, by William Sharp. The third of the Roman Sketches is [inaudible] based on the poem of the same name. Griffes included a short poetical inscription in the music, and it reads:
"Shimmering lights,
As though the Aurora's
Wild polar fires
Flashed in thy happy bubbles,
Died in thy foam." [-William Sharp]

This was written about the actual Fountain that was built in 1612 in Rome. Griffes was going to orchestrate this piece, but then he died before he finished, and it would've been really good too, because I heard part of it... but anyways, any questions?

AUDIENCE MEMBER (Jeff Tang): Do you have any plans on orchestrating the rest on your own?
JAMES: You know, I did, actually. But then, I found out, while researching last night, that someone had already done it already [sic].
AUDIENCE MEMBER (unidentified): Awwww...
JAMES: I would've, though! I would've. Any other questions?
AUDIENCE MEMBER (Zhong Shi): What [was] the question?
JAMES: He asked, would I plan on finishing the orchestration? [Back to Jeff] And also, I don't have access to his manuscripts. I would have to a completely original orchestration, but I have some ideas. Any other questions? OK, enjoy Griffes' The Fountain of the Acqua Paola.

[After the piece]
Thank you. As you can probably tell by now, Griffes would've been one BA American impressionist composer, if he had lived longer, but, that's [inaudible] pity [inaudible].
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James Chang's Personal Senior Recital
May 30, 2010, 7 PM, Friday Musicale Auditorium, Jacksonville, FL
Video 5 of 11

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