Carlo Domeniconi
Encyclopedia
Carlo Domeniconi is an Italian
guitarist
and composer
known as a concert artist in both the classical and jazz
idioms. Born in Cesena
, Italy, he received his first instruction with Carmen Lenzi Mozzani at the age of 13. By age 17, he had received his diploma from the Rossini Conservatory
in Pesaro
.
In 1966, Domeniconi left Italy for West Berlin
, where he studied composition at the University of Music (later The Berlin University of the Arts
). He further worked at the university for 20 years as a professor.
Later, Domeniconi visited Turkey
and became enamoured with its people and culture. He started the department for guitar studies at the conservatory in Istanbul
and developed a compositional style that reflected the regional folk influence.
Domeniconi possibly is most well known for his 1985 piece Koyunbaba. The name is actually Turkish and literally translates as "sheep-father" (koyun-baba), or "shepherd", some sources also translate it to "the spirit of the sheep", but also refers to many other things, including a 13th century mystical saint-like figure
whose grave
is decorated with coloured bits of cloth by Turkish villagers seeking his help with family problems. "Koyunbaba" is also the family name of his descendants, who still reside in the area, and the name of a wild, dry region of Southwest Turkey. According to local legend, the area is seemingly cursed - numerous people who have attempted to rent or purchase the land from the Koyunbaba family have died or fallen ill. Domeniconi has referred to two specific examples: one was a German
woman who wanted to keep the area in its natural and unspoiled state, but was soon stricken with cancer
. The other was one of three sons of the Koyunbaba family who suddenly sold some of the land, but then hanged himself.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
guitarist
Classical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
known as a concert artist in both the classical and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
idioms. Born in Cesena
Cesena
Cesena is a city and comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, south of Ravenna and west of Rimini, on the Savio River, co-chief of the Province of Forlì-Cesena. It is at the foot of the Apennines, and about 15 km from the Adriatic Sea.-History:Cesena was originally an Umbrian...
, Italy, he received his first instruction with Carmen Lenzi Mozzani at the age of 13. By age 17, he had received his diploma from the Rossini Conservatory
Conservatorio Statale di Musica "Gioachino Rossini"
The Conservatorio Statale di Musica "Gioachino Rossini" is a music conservatory in Pesaro, Italy. Founded in 1869 with a legacy from the composer Gioachino Rossini, the conservatory officially opened in 1882 with 67 students and was then known as the Liceo musicale Rossini...
in Pesaro
Pesaro
Pesaro is a town and comune in the Italian region of the Marche, capital of the Pesaro e Urbino province, on the Adriatic. According to the 2007 census, its population was 92,206....
.
In 1966, Domeniconi left Italy for West Berlin
West Berlin
West Berlin was a political exclave that existed between 1949 and 1990. It comprised the western regions of Berlin, which were bordered by East Berlin and parts of East Germany. West Berlin consisted of the American, British, and French occupation sectors, which had been established in 1945...
, where he studied composition at the University of Music (later The Berlin University of the Arts
Berlin University of the Arts
The Universität der Künste Berlin, UdK is a public art school in Berlin, Germany, one of the four universities in the city...
). He further worked at the university for 20 years as a professor.
Later, Domeniconi visited Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and became enamoured with its people and culture. He started the department for guitar studies at the conservatory in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
and developed a compositional style that reflected the regional folk influence.
Domeniconi possibly is most well known for his 1985 piece Koyunbaba. The name is actually Turkish and literally translates as "sheep-father" (koyun-baba), or "shepherd", some sources also translate it to "the spirit of the sheep", but also refers to many other things, including a 13th century mystical saint-like figure
Koyunbaba
Koyunbaba, Seyit Ali, is a Saint who lived in Turkey, Çorum Province, Osmancık city in 15th century. Koyunbaba was a shepherd in Bursa in northwestern Turkey.- References :* The Official Web Site of Osmancık Municipality...
whose grave
Grave (burial)
A grave is a location where a dead body is buried. Graves are usually located in special areas set aside for the purpose of burial, such as graveyards or cemeteries....
is decorated with coloured bits of cloth by Turkish villagers seeking his help with family problems. "Koyunbaba" is also the family name of his descendants, who still reside in the area, and the name of a wild, dry region of Southwest Turkey. According to local legend, the area is seemingly cursed - numerous people who have attempted to rent or purchase the land from the Koyunbaba family have died or fallen ill. Domeniconi has referred to two specific examples: one was a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
woman who wanted to keep the area in its natural and unspoiled state, but was soon stricken with cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
. The other was one of three sons of the Koyunbaba family who suddenly sold some of the land, but then hanged himself.
Recordings
- Concerto di Berlinbul - Koyunbaba (1991) cover program
- Sindbad - Ein Märchen für Gitarre (kr 1001, Kreuzberg Records)
mp3: Return to Baghdad - To Play or not to play (kr 5004, Kreuzberg Records)
- Watermusic (Carlo Domeniconi & Silvia Ocougne) (kr 1002, Kreuzberg Records)
- Movement in Circles, Chamber Music 1989-1995 (kr 10019, Kreuzberg Records)
- El trino del Diablo (kr 1004, Kreuzberg Records)
- Selected Works I (met 1001, Co-production: edition ex tempore, Berlin & HOMA dream, Japan)
- Selected Works II (met 1002, Co-production: edition ex tempore, Berlin & HOMA dream, Japan)
- Selected Works I - solo guitar works, 2005 (met 1001)
- Selected Works II - solo guitar works, 2005 (met 1002)
- Selected Works III - Music for two guitars, 2006 (met 1003)
- Selected Works IV - Chamber music, 2009 (met 1004)
- Selected Works V - 25 years Koyunbaba, 2009 (met 1005)
- Concerto Mediterraneo (1993) op.67 (Hänssler CD 98.347, Hänssler CLASSIC)
Publications
- Carlo Domeniconi - Berlinbul Concerto - Doppelkonzert für Saz, Gitarre und Orchester, op. 29 from edition ex tempore, Berlin
- Carlo Domeniconi - Suite Pittoresca - Für Bassklarinette, Gitarre und Streichorchester from edition ex tempore, Berlin
External links
- Carlo Domeniconi official website (English and German) with biography, photos, and complete list of compositions and current CDs
- Biography and Photos Carlo Domeniconi
- Photos of Masterclass (Ligita 2005)
- Photos of Presentation (Ligita 2005)