ANIMA MEDITERRANEA

Anima Mediterranea (Mediterranean Soul) is a composition by Donato Semeraro for clarinet in G (also called Turkish clarinet) and wind band. As an alternative to the clarinet in G, the solo part can be performed on Bb clarinet, alto sax, or violin. The piece represents a fascinating journey in the Mediterranean Sea in search of melodies and rhythms typical of the traditional dances of the peoples living on its shores. It allows us to perceive the heat of the sun, the rustle of the wind, the scent of the sea, and the colors of the Mediterranean bush.

The piece is divided into 3 movements, each of which describes a region of this enchanting area of the planet. The alternation of the A and B themes of the first movement makes us go back in ancient time, making us relive the fascinating sounds of the Byzantine and Ottoman civilizations, and then return to our times. The movement is practically an excursus between the history and culture of what is now called Turkey.

The second slow movement takes us to the wonderful Salento area in Apulia, Italy. A sweet melody full of pathos portrays this territory immersed in a clear sea and a scorching sun. The themes are reminiscent of love songs sung during the wheat and grape harvests, recalling, even if with a slower rhythm, the ancient Salento dance called the "pizzica."

Finally, the author, in the third and last movement, pays homage to more genres, styles, and peoples of the Mediterranean. With a perfect mix of rhythms, dances, melodies, and pure virtuosity where Balkan, Klezmer, and Greek musics meld, Anima Mediterranea by Donato Semeraro ends in a blaze of colors, perfumes, and music.