Excursion to Ferrara, 1595: Themes on the Music and Life of Carlo Gesualdo

Excursion to Ferrara, 1595: Themes on the Music and Life of Carlo Gesualdo is an original composition for chamber orchestra featuring the harp. The piece is primarily inspired by the compositional techniques found in the fifth and sixth books of madrigals by Carlo Gesualdo. These techniques include modal shifts and the use of 16th century counterpoint. Excursion to Ferrara also incorporates the 19th century Romantic ideal of thematic unity, as the melodic material is comprised of only two themes and several distinct motives. Direct quotes from his madrigals, Moro, lasso, and Mille Volte Il Di can also be heard in the piece, functioning as an accompaniment to the thematic material.