Neapolitan Music Society's First Master Class
McCallum Fine Arts Academy, Austin TX

"A Neapolitan Revival"

"It was a thrill to see our young musicians rise to the challenge of bringing to life these musical master works. How exciting for the audience as well as the performers to experience this fresh yet timeless music."  -Scott Collier, Parent McCallum Student

On Sunday evening, November 9, 2008, The Long Center's Dell Hall was filled with music that hasn't been played or heard for over two-hundred years. The Neapolitan Music Society (NMS) presented A Neapolitan Revival with the McCallum Fine Arts Academy Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Ricky Pringle and guest conductor, Maestro Gioacchino Longobardi.

This concert was sponsored in part by KMFA Classic Radio 89.5, by the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

Photo by Studio Stence

The Neapolitan Music Society (NMS) initiated its first Master Class in 2008 with the McCallum Fine Arts Academy Chamber Orchestra, one of the best student orchestras in Texas and the southwest. The master class was a great success on every level of educational and performance expectations.

Photo by Studio Stence

This exciting program of extended study, rehearsal, and performance immersed the academy’s advanced music students in the history and music of the Naples conservatories, which were the finest music academies of their day.

The class led by M° Gioacchino Longobardi, NMS President & Artistic Director, along with M° Alberto Vitolo from Rome, Italy, and the Society’s Assistant Artistic Director, provided participating students with personal instruction in the rare and beautiful string techniques that produced the famous Sound of Naples. Rounding out the program, Professor Robert Gjerdingen of Northwestern University and the Society’s music historian, introduced the students to the rich history of Neapolitan music and the conservatories.

Photo by Studio Stence

This collaborative program included more than a week of rehearsals and classroom instruction in technique, music theory and history, culminating in a concert performance. The McCallum Chamber Orchestra under the direction of M° Gioacchino Longobardi performed their concert at Austin’s new premier concert hall, The Long Center for the Performing Arts.

The purpose of the project was to introduce the advanced orchestra students, through an intensive one-week curriculum of study, music theory, rehearsal and performance --to the 18th Century Neapolitan Masters.

The program included:

(1) One week of instruction in the transcription, rehearsal and performance of concertos;

(2) One week of classroom instruction in 18^th Century Neapolitan music history and the unique bowing and instrumentation that created the "Sound of Naples"

Photo by Studio Stence

(3) A public concert with the participating orchestra; and

(4) A guest lecture by Dr. Robert Gjerdingen, Chairman, Music History Department, Northwestern University, Chicago Illinois to the participating students and broader community.

Highlights of the McCallum Fine Arts Academy concert:
	Francesco Durante Bio Largo - from Concerto per Archi n. 5  MP3 View manuscript View page 1 of edited score View page 2 of edited score
	Giovanni Battista Pergolesi Bio Largo - from Concerto per Violino, archi e continuo MP3 Sinfonia - from Lo frate 'nnammurato - 2nd Mv MP3 Sinfonia - from Lo frate 'nnammurato - 3rd Mv MP3
	Leonardo Leo Bio Allegro - from Oratorio Sant 'Elena al Calvario MP3
	Domenico Scarlatti Bio Sonata per Violino e Continuo - 1st Mv. MP3 Sonata per Violino e Continuo - 2nd Mv. MP3

Photo by Studio Stence

Dr. Robert Gjerdingen described the history of Neapolitan music.

MP3 audio:
Part 1
Part 2