Luigi Zaninelli (born 30 March 1932, in New Jersey) is an Italian-American composer of vocal and instrumental music.
Biography
Zaninelli was born in Raritan, New Jersey,[2] and began his musical career as a jazz pianist at the age of 12, but also learned to appreciate European "Classical" music.[3] He became a student and an instructor at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Curtis sent him to Italy to study under the legendary Rosario Scalero.[4] In 1973 he was appointed to the music faculty as the composer-in-residence at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, a position he held until his retirement in 2009.[5][6][7]
He has won several awards for his music. In addition to the Steinway Prize, he is a five-time Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters winner. He also has a son who is named after him, who was the top individual performer at the 2018 MHSAA Speech and Debate Championships.[8]
Music
Zaninelli has published over 300 works. He uses the name "Lou Hayward" for his jazz compositions and arrangements and his given name for his "serious" compositions.[9] His concert arrangements of Gospel Hymns and Folksongs for solo voice are a favorite of U.S. voice teachers to use with college students.
Reviews
"Luigi Zaninelli is one of America's musical masters. His music is filled with taste, and unique sounds. It is composed with the highest possible craft and imagination."
[10]
- David Dubal, WWFM, The Classical Music Station, N.Y, NY.
"Luigi is a composer of true melodic gift. This is why I accepted him as a student at the CURTIS SCHOOL OF MUSIC. His music apes no one and is always true to its self."[11]
- Gian Carlo Menotti.
"Zaninelli's music has earned him International praise. It is superbly written, containing gems of musical lyricism and originality."[12]
- Jerry Deagle, The Calgary Herald
"Zaninelli's music is introspective, ethereal and very personal. It is a music of great originality and imagination."[13]
- Leonard Leacock, The Albertan
"His music is hauntingly beautiful and powerful, creating sounds of mystical magic that touch the listener deeply."[14]
- Bonny Bomboy, The Hattiesburg American
Compositions
Operas
Snow White - 1996
Mr. Sebastian - 1997
Good Friday - 1998
Vocal and choral works
Ave Maria (SATB - a capella) (C. Alan Publications)
The Battle for Vicksburg (theater piece for soprano, piano, and narrator), 1982 (E. C. Kerby)
Beginnings (solo voice and piano or chamber orchestra, texts by Eudora Welty), 1992 (Harold Flammer/Shawnee Press)
Five American Gospel Songs (medium voice and piano), 1986 (Harold Flammer/Shawnee Press)
Five American Revival Songs (solo voice and piano), 1991 (Harold Flammer/Shawnee Press)
Five Folk Songs (high voice and piano), 1979 (Harold Flammer/Shawnee Press)
Five Folk Songs (medium voice and piano), 1984 (Harold Flammer/Shawnee Press)
Five Folk Songs, Volume II (medium voice and piano), 1989 (Harold Flammer/Shawnee Press)
Five Sacred Songs (solo voice with piano) (C. Alan Publications)
Good Friday (opera), 1998
My Father's World (SATB choir with piano) (C. Alan Publications)
O Child Divine (SATB with organ/piano) (C. Alan Publications)
Pie Jesu (SATB with organ) (C. Alan Publications)
Remember, O Mortal Man (SATB with organ) (C. Alan Publications)
