Orchestration:  2-1-2-1 / 2-2-2-0,  4 percussionists,  strings (with solo violin)

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ABOUT THE WORK

Set in Italy, The Red Velvet Violin is a story about a young shop assistant named Saverio who, with the help of his friend Maria Elena, discovers a magical piece of wood that helps him achieve his dream of becoming a violin virtuoso. However, when tries to use his magic violin for the purpose gaining fame and fortune, the violin has other plans. It's a playful story about the power of love and music.

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A symphonic puppet show for children in the style of Prokofiev's beloved Peter and the Wolf, The Red Velvet Violin is a collaborative work commissioned by Angelo Moreno and the Davis Schools Association for Orchestral Music. The project was part of an annual outreach concert to inspire young children with the power of music. In February 2014 the work was premiered in Davis, California for over 2,000 elementary school children in four concerts, as well as a fifth concert open to the public. The performance was given by the Davis High Symphony-Orchestra under the baton of Angelo Moreno, with story-writer Anna Moreno (Angelo’s mother), narrating. Art Gruenberger and the Puppet Art Theater Co. directed and performed the puppetry, and Ryan Suleiman created the musical score.

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A symphonic suite / concert-version of this work (25 minutes) is also available.