MARIA GABRIELLA ZEN

Tropo di Maggio
(1981)

text: freely adapted from the poem Maggio by Roberto Mussapi
for: soprano, flute, trumpet, piano, cello and percussions (1 large suspended cymbal, 2 hand cymbals)  
duration: about 7' 
"Gigi Ongaro Prize" 1981 - Conservatory of Music of Padua 
Pdf of the score available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

En autò
(1989)

Ballet music
for: mezzosoprano (vocalizations), percussions and string quartet 
Perc.: glockenspiel, vibraphone, xilophone, triangle, Basque drum, suspended splash cymbal, spiked cymbal, gong, tam-tam. 3 tom tom, snare drum, bass drum
duration: about 47’ 
commission: VenetoBalletto, Padova 
publisher: Agenda Edizioni, Monte San Pietro (BO) 2015
Suite from the ballet recorded at Condulmer Studio in Mogliano Veneto (TV) in November 1989
Michela Remor - mezzosoprano, Ensemble Octandre
Audio available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Farewell
(1991)

for: marimba (and voice of the performer ad libitum)
text: the verbal forms "Forget, forgot, forgotten" 
duration: around 5'  
commission: riPERCUSSIONI - II Rassegna
first performance: Venezia, Scuola dei Calegheri, 18/1/1992 
performer: Annunziata (Kiki) Dellisanti - marimba and voice
Audio and pdf available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Il paggio saggio
(1991)

theatrical action for children
text: "STO" (Sergio Tofano) 
for: narrator, soloist white voice,  white voices choir and children orchestra
duration: about 50'
detailed instrumentation: 1.1.1.1. (possible doubling) - 1.1.0.0. (possible doubling) - many percussionists  (celesta, xilophone, vibraphone, 4 timpani, triangle, 2 drums, 5 tin drums, 4 horses hoofs, suspended cymbal, gong, bass drum) - harp - piano - strings (no double - bass)

No words song
(1991)

for: soprano, alto and two chamber ensembles
duration: 7'30''
detailed instrumentation:
- 1st ensemble (horn, harp, large suspended cymbal, string quartet) 
- 2nd ensemble (flute, vibraphone, 4 Thai gongs, bass drum, string quartet)
Pdf available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Invenzione a due
(1992)

for: marimba and vibraphone 
duration: about 5’  
commissione: riPERCUSSIONI - III Rassegna
first performance: Venezia, Sala San Leonardo, 30/11/1992
performers: Annunziata Dellisanti – vibraphone, Roberto Barbieri - marimba
Audio and pdf available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Ricercare
(1992)

for: dobachi, vibraphone and deep gong 
duration: 4’30” 
commission: Sonopolis-Teatro La Fenice 1st Edition
first performance: Mestre, Teatro del Parco Bissuola, 23/5/1992 
performer: Annunziata (Kiki) Dellisanti – percussions
Pdf available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Sono lunghe le estati delle Esperidi
(1992)

for: flute, glockenspiel, antique cymbals and vibraphone 
duration: about 7’ 
commission: riPERCUSSIONI - II Rassegna
first performance: Venezia, Scuola dei Calegheri, 18/1/1992 
performers: Monica Finco - flute, Annunziata Dellisanti - percussions
Pdf of the full score available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Cinque Lieder
(1993)

text: fragments from poems by Zbigniew Herbert
for: soprano, grand piano and percussions (glockenspiel, vibraphone, 2 suspended cymbals, wind chimes)
duration: about 10'  
commission: Sonopolis-Teatro La Fenice 2nd Edition
first performance: Venezia, Palazzo Mocenigo, 8/12/1993 
performers: Antonella Ferroni – soprano, Caterina Marcuglia – piano, Annunziata Dellisanti - percussions
Audio available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Woher und wohin?
(1993)

text: Simon Frug
for: mezzosoprano, alto flute, clarinet, 2 percussionists (vibraphone, marimba, tam-tam and then both on grand piano without cover)
with hypothesis of Live Electronics 
duration: about 15’ 
commission: Contempo Ensemble founded and conducted by Stefano Bassanese

Elegía del recuerdo imposible
(1994)

(upon the homonymous poem by Jorge Luis Borges)
for: recorder (Ganassi) or flute and marimba
duration: about 9’ 
commission: KulturBrauerei, Berlin
first performance: Berlin, Kesselhaus in der KulturBrauerei, 17/9/1994 
performers: Points of contact Duo (Gaby Bultmann - Ganassi flute, Annunziata Dellisanti - marimba)
audio 1: recorded on 5/6/1995 - Venezia
audio 2: recorded on 25/4/1996 - Berlin
Pdf of the score and audio recordings available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

...leggere la grafia delle nuvole...
(1995)

(upon a verse by Zbigniew Herbert)
for: piano and percussions
Perc.: crotali, dobachi, vibraphone, wind chimes, 3 suspended cymbals (small, medium, latge), Chinese cymbal, tam-tam
duration: about 7’30'' 
commission: riPercussioni a Venezia - IV Rassegna
dedication: a Kiki e Caterina, Vestali della Musica Contemporanea 
first performance: Venezia, Palazzo Mocenigo - S. Stae, 23/2/1996 
performers: Caterina Marcuglia - piano, Annunziata Dellisanti - percussions
Audio and pdf available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Kaleidocromía
(1995)

Performance for walking public
Multimedial route for Percussions, Action Painting and Projectors
for: percussions (free choice) 
duration: about 45’ 
commission: Teatro a l'Avogaria, Venezia
first performance: Venezia, Corte Zappa, Carmini bell tower and Teatro a l’Avogaria, 24/5/1995 
performers: Annunziata Dellisanti – percussions, Flavio Bertini - action painting, Gianfranco Iannuzzi - images and direction

Risonanze
(1995)

for: 2 percussionists
I perc.: vibraphone
II perc.: glockenspiel, marimba, wind chimes, 3 suspended cymbals, 1 Chinese cymbal, 3 tam-tams (large, medium, small)
duration: about 10'
didication: A Kiki Dellisanti, Grande Sacerdotessa delle Percussioni e Grande Madre di fantastici Percussionisti
Pdf available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Songes ou rêves?
(1995)

for: ensemble with percussions 
duration: 9’  
detailed instrumentation: 2.2.0.0. - 2.0.0.0. - 1 perc. (glockenspiel, vibraphone, wind chimes, 3 suspended cymbals, 1 Chinese cymbal, 3 tam-tams) - harp - piano - strings (1.1.1.1.1.)
Pdf available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Vibrante
(1998)

duo for: Ganassi flute (or alto flute or bass flute) and 1 percussionist (vibraphone, Chinese cymbal, wind chimes)
duration: about 5'
commission: Points of contact Duo
dedication: A Gaby Bultmann e Kiki Dellisanti
first performance: Genova, Goethe Institut, 8/11/1998
performers: Points of contact Duo (Gaby Bultmann - Ganassi flute, Annunziata Dellisanti - percussions)
Pdf available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Farewell
(1999)

version for vibraphone (and voice of the performer ad libitum)
text: the verbal forms "Forget, forgot, forgotten" 
duration: about 5'
commission: Venezia Nuova Musica
first performance: THETIS, Arsenale Novissimo di Venezia, 9th of May 1999
performer: Antonio Ceravolo - vibraphone and voice
Pdf available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Reflected lights
(1999)

for: flute, oboe, clarinet, piano and percussions (crotales fa5-fa7 touched by double bass bow, wind chimes, gong, suspended metal sheet or suspended deep cymbal or tam-tam)
duration: 8’30’’ 
dedication: In memoria di Angela De Girolami
Pdf available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Dancing around the sun
(2000)

text: Emily Dickinson
for: mezzosoprano, flute, clarinet, two pianos and percussions (crotales, marimba, wind chimes, tam-tam) 
duration: 7’30” 
commission: "Donne in Musica" - Section of Venice
dedication: to the McNiel Family 
first performance: Venezia, Fondazione Cini, Sala degli Arazzi, 22/6/2000 
performers: Ensemble Donne in Musica di Venezia

In der Wüste
(2003)

text: T.S. Eliot and Isaia
for: mezzosoprano, alto and 3 percussionists 
Perc.: vibraphone, bass marimba, crotales, 2 sets of wind chimes, 3 suspended cymbals, 3 gongs (or suspended cymbals), 3 tam-tams (or suspended cymbals), 1 Chinese cymbal (or gong or tam-tam or metal sheet), 1 pedal drum 29' with two small splash cymbals on the membrane, 5 wood-blocks, 1 deep tom tom, snare drum, bass drum)
duration: 13' 30" 
commission:  ZIEL 1 = KUNST = ZIEL 1 - EU workshop for European artists 2003, Oslip (Austria) 2nd-12th October 2003 
dedication: a Gianfranco e Màrta de Bosio 
first performance: Oslip (Austria), Grosser Saal Cselley-Muehle, 11th October 2003 
performers: Sonja Treuer - mezzosoprano, Elena Suvorova - alto, Thomas Ritter, Michael Vida, Hanyin Mo – percussions
Audio and pdf of the text by Eliot and Isaia available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS 

11 - Eleven (Pax, luminosa Pax)
(2004)

Suite by 11 European composers: XI° Fragment - Finale
for: alto, flute, clarinet, trombone, violin and  percussions (glockenspiel, xilophone, 2 suspended cymbals, tam-tam)
duration: 1'40" 
commission: MEP Christa Prets on occasion of the Enlargement of UE 
first performance; Eisenstadt, Burgenlaendische Landesgalerie Esterhàzy, 28/4/2004 
performers: Birgit Fluch – flute, Denitsa Laffchieva – clarinet, Antonia-Alexa Georgiew – violin, Sandor Vigh – trombone, Rita Skultety – percussions, Elena Suvorova – alto, Gerhard Krammer – conductor
Audio available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Canto ventitreesimo
(2004)

text: from 23rd Canto of the Inferno by Dante Alighieri 
for: soprano, alto, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, tuba and 2 percussionists
Perc: vibraphone, marimba, gong, tam-tam
duration: 5'30'' 
commission: Conservatorio di Rovigo for “Malebolge: una Festa – Tredici all’Infinito” 
first performance: Rovigo, Museo dei Grandi Fiumi, 6/6/2004 
performers: Tiziana Scandaletti – soprano, Donatella Vigato - alto, Gabriella Melli – flute, Michele Scipioni – clarinets, Alessandro Ballarin – tuba, Nunzio Dicorato and Alberto Zamana – percussions
Audio available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Lacrimosa
(2006)

A meditation on Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem
for: octet (violin, viola, cello, double bass, clarinet, bassoon, horn and percussions) 
perc.: vibraphone, wind chimes, gong, 3 tam-tam, pedal drum 29' with 3 splash cymbals on the membrane
duration: 5'30" 
commission: MEP Christa Prets
first performance: Oslip (Austria) Cselley Muehle, 10/6/2006 
performers: Ensemble of the F. J. Haydn Conservatory of Eisenstadt
Audio available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Variazione su tema di Mozart K481
(2006)

for: flute, clarinet in Bb, violin, cello, piano, vibraphone and tam-tam 
duration: 2' 40" 
commission: Festival Spaziomusica, Cagliari 
first performance: Cagliari, Cripta di San Domenico, 16/11/2006 
performers: Ensemble “Palestrina” (Federico Bresciani - violin, Fabio Mureddu - cello, Christian Cassinelli - piano, Roberto Pellegrini - percussions, Roberta Cassinelli - clarinet, Salvatore Saba - flute, Riccardo Leone - Conductor)
audio live recorded (Tema by Mozart K481 and Variazione) live recorded on 16/11/2006
Audio available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Variazioni Curtolo
(2006)

on the theme Happy birthday to you 
for: two violins (or violin and viola), piano, three (or more!) 'budding' percussionists and family choir
Perc: triangle, pot lids, drum (or any other instrument!)
duration: about 8'30''
dedication: ad Augusto Curtolo nel giorno del suo 80° compleanno
first performance: Ristorante Passo Giau (Cortina d'Ampezzo) 28/1/2006
performers: Gisella e Giampaolo Curtolo - violins, Angelo Curtolo - piano, Alessandro, Francesca e Federico Curtolo - percussions
Pdf of the score in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Die Linien des Lebens...
(2007)

for octet: violin, viola, cello, double bass, clarinet in sib, bassoon, horn and percussions 
perc.: vibraphone, marimba, timpano 29' with 3 heavy bells (11', 9', 7') on the membrane (or 3 small  splash cymbal), 1 suspended Cymbal, 1 medium-deep gong, 2 tam-tams (medium and deep)
duration: about 10'  
commission: Nuove Musiche d'Europa - III Edition
first performance: Venezia, Sale Apollinee del Teatro La Fenice, 17/3/2007 
performers: Septet "I Virtuosi della Fenice" and Annunziata Dellisanti (percussions), Gerhard Krammer - conductor
Review by Mario Messinis and audio recording available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

La cifra del Nulla
(2007)

Happening for 2 pianists on a gran piano and  1 superpercussionist
Perc.: 2 sets of wind chimes, 3 tam-tams or gongs or suspended cymbals of different sizes
duration: 6' 
dedication: alla poetessa Rossana Abis in occasione della pubblicazione del suo omonimo libro
Pdf available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Don Giovanni, variazioni sul mito
(2010)

Seven variations on Là ci darem la mano 
texts by Euripides, Heine, Leopardi and Rilke 
for: female choir, 4 percussionists and organ in a faraway room
perc.: glockenspiel, antique cymbals (do5 -do7), xilophone, 2 vibraphone, bass marimba , pedal drum  29' with 3 heavy bells 11', 9', 7' (or 3 small splash cymbals) on the membrane, wind chimes (if possible two rows), Chinese cymbal, suspended cymbals, tamtams (at least 3 deep ones), 1 water tam-tam
duration: about 21' 
dedication: a Gianfranco de Bosio e Gianni Tangucci, con riconoscenza e affetto 
commission: Fondazione La Biennale di Venezia
first performance: Opening of 54° Festival Internazionale di Musica Contemporanea della Biennale, Venezia, Palazzo Pisani, 23/9/2010 
performers: Coro del Teatro La Fenice (Maestro del Coro Claudio Marino Moretti), Ensemble di percussioni di Venezia (Annunziata Dellisanti, Roberto Barbieri, Matteo Modolo, Andrea Dal Bianco), Micole and Serena Munari – organ, Alvise Mason - organ registrant, Maria Gabriella Zen - conductor
Pdf of the full score, audio live recorded and Press review available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Il Regno dei Fanes
(2010)

videomelologue 
text by Maria Gabriella Zen from Ladin legends and letters from the war front (1915-1917) by Giuseppe and Eugenio Garrone 
video by Margot Galante Garrone from photos by Giuseppe, Eugenio Garrone and Luigi Galante 
for: narrator, soprano, flute/bass flute and two percussionists 
perc.: vibraphone, marimba, 1 pedal drum 29' with 3 heavy bells 11', 9', 7' on the membrane or 3 small  splash cymbals, wind chimes (possibly two rows), suspended cymbals, tam-tams and gongs as deep as possible (at least 3 available to each percussionist but, if possible, even more)
duration: 25'
dedication: a Rita e Renzo De Girolami e al loro maso ospitale  
first performance: Venezia, Sale Apollinee del Teatro La Fenice, 22/1/2010 
performers: Savino Liuzzi - narrator, Orsola Bollettini – soprano, Francesca Cescon – flute/bass flute, Kiki Dellisanti and Andrea Dal Bianco – percussions

Motus in fine velocior
(2011)

for: three percussionists 
perc.: vibraphone, marimba, timpano 29' with 3 heavy bells 11' 9' 7' (or similar) on the membrane, wind chimes, 3 gongs, 3 tam-tams, 1 water tam-tam
duration: about 7' 
commission: Conservatorio Benedetto Marcello di Venezia on occasion of  Suona Italiano Festival 2011  (repeat performance at the Auditorium of Strasbourg Conservatory on 5/12/2011)
dedication: alla cara memoria di Don Bruno Bertoli 
first performance: Venezia, Sala Concerti del Conservatorio, 22/11/2011 
performers: Ensemble di Percussioni del Conservatorio di Venezia (Annunziata Dellisanti, Andrea Dal Bianco, Alessio Ghezzi)
Pdf available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Tre canti natalizi
(2012)

for: female (or white voices) choir and percussions
perc.: glockenspiel, vibraphone, wind chimes (with the most delicate color possible) or sleigh bells, 3 suspended cymbals of different sizes
duration: about 9' 
dedication: al magico Maestro Ulisse Trabacchin
commission: Fondazione Teatro La Fenice di Venezia 
first performance: Venezia, Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, 19/12/2012 
performers: Coro Femminile del Teatro La Fenice di Venezia, Matteo Modolo - percussions
Maestro del Coro and Conductor - Claudio Marino Moretti
publisher: ED. ARS PUBLICA – AP 00706 M

Canzona a tre
(2013)

(on a theme by Giovanni Gabrieli)
for: alto flute, cello and percussions 
perc.: vibraphone, timpano 29' with 3 heavy bells 11', 9', 7' on the membrane (or 3 small splash cymbals) 3 gongs of different sizes or suspended cymbals of different intonations
duration: about 4'30'' 
commission: Fondazione Teatro La Fenice for "Lo Spirito della Musica di Venezia 2013" Festival 
first performance: Venezia, Sale Apollinee del Teatro la Fenice, Maratona per Bruno - 37 new pieces of Italian composers in honour of Bruno Maderna for his 40th death anniversary, 6/7/2013 
Performers: Ex Novo Ensemble (Daniele Ruggeri – alto flute, Carlo Teodoro – cello, Dario Savron – percussions
publisher: ED. FONDAZIONE TEATRO LA FENICE 2013
Score and audio available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Tre frammenti da 'Stabat Mater' di Tiziano Scarpa
(2014)

for: soprano and vibraphone 
duration: about 4' 
commission: Fondazione Teatro La Fenice for "Lo Spirito della Musica di Venezia 2014" Festival
first performance: Venezia, Sale Apollinee del Teatro La Fenice, 11/7/2014 
performers: Sonia Visentin – soprano, Didier Bellon – vibraphone 
publisher: ED. FONDAZIONE TEATRO LA FENICE DI VENEZIA 2014
Score and audio available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Favole al telefono (The Young Person's Guide to the Percussions)
(2015)

12 Variationson the theme: Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman! (The Young Person's Guide to the Percussions)
Melologue on texts by Gianni Rodari  
for: narrator and four percussionists (very good!)  
detailed instrumentation: (some instruments can be replaced according to the group's aquipment) glockenspiel, vibraphone, xilophone, marimba, bells, 4 timpani 23', 26', 29' (with 3 heavy bells 7', 9', 11' or similar on the membrane) and 32', triangle, wind chimes, bamboo chimes, 2 hand cymbals, 2 opera gongs, 3 suspended cymbals, 3 gongs, water gong, 2 tam-tams, metal sheet, 5 temple blocks, 3 wood blocks, triccabalacca, guiro, castanets, African rattle, tamburine with jingles, tamburine without jingles, military drum, 3 tom toms, ocean drum (wave sea murmuring), bass drum, wooden whip, 6 cow bells tied three to three, bicycle bell, clacson, metropolitan whistle, sleigh bells, large marine shell
duration: about 60' 
commission: Amici della Musica di Foligno
dedication: Ai fantastici 4 Tetraktis
first performance: Foligno, Auditorium San Domenico, 1/5/2015 
Michele Nani – narrator, Tetraktis Percussioni (Gianni Maestrucci, Laura Mancini, Leonardo Ramadori, Gianluca Saveri)
Pdf full score available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

Svariazioni
(2017)

12 variations  on the theme Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman! 
for: 5 percussionists
detailed instrumentation: (some instruments can be replaced according to the group's equipment): glockenspiel, crotales, vibraphone, xilophone, marimba, bells, 1 timpano 26' with 3 heavy bells 7', 9', 11' or similar resting on the membrane, triangle, wind chimes, 2 opera gong, 3 suspended cymbals, 3 gongs, 3 tam-tams (+ a container full of water for the 8th Variation), 2 bongos, 5 temple blocks, 5 wood blocks, snare drum, medium drum, deep drum, 1 bass tom tom, guiro, Basque drum, castanets, wooden whip, caccavella, African rattle, triccabalacca, 3 cow bells tied with a rope, sleigh bells, metropolitan whistle, clacson, bicycle bell, large marine shell, ocean drum (wave sea murmuring)
duration: about 20'
commission: Percussion Class of the Conservatory of Music of Venezia on occasion of the 8th edition of  Festivalpercussioni 2017
first performance: Campobasso, Auditorium ex Gil, 5/5/2017
performers: Ensemble di Percussioni del Conservatorio di Venezia, Annunziata Dellisanti - Conductor
Pdf available in the general section CATALOG OF WORKS

3'43'' (Le Percussioni di Venezia nel Giorno di San Marco 2020)
(2020)

Video recorded in Venezia, St. Mark Square around 8 p.m., on 25th of April 2020
performers:  the ropes of the flagpoles without flags beaten by the wind against metal rods, Mori's Clocktower, the bells of the Churches, the voices of the birds replacing those of the human beings, locked down in their own cages

Natale digitale 2020: Albero di Fabrizio Plessi
(2020)

This year like never before the entire world is longing for the return of the Light...
Video recorded on the 24th of December by Daniele Frison in Venice (Riva degli Schiavoni and Piazza San Marco enriched by Fabrizio Plessi's Tree)
for: percussions
duration: 2'40''
performer: Annunziata (Kiki) Dellisanti - percussions

Omaggio a Varèse
(2023)

for13 percussionists 
detailed instrumentation:
1.  Large chinese cymbal and tam-tam
2.  Gong and 2 tam-tams
3.  2 Bongos and bass drum
4.  Parade drum (side drum) and rolling drum
5.  High siren and Lion's roar (string drum)
6.  Low siren and guiro
7.  3 Wood blocks
8.  Snare drum and 2 maracas
9.  Tarole and suspended cymbal
10. Jingle bells and tubular bells
11. Glockenspiel, guiro and castanets
12. Basque drum and large tam-tam
13  Piano
duration: around 4'30''
commission: Conservatory of Music "Benedetto Marcello" of Venezia
dedicated to Kiki Dellisanti in order to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the first Italian chair of Percussion
first performance: Venezia, Concert Hall of the Conservatory of Music "Benedetto Marcello"  25/3/2023
conductor: Eddy De Fanti
percussion ensemble: Roberto Barbieri, Paolo Busolin, Paride Ceolin, Lorenzo Delle Vedove, Annunziata Dellisanti, Sara Faggian, Simone Ferretto, Alberto Gonzales, Simone Grassi, Giuseppe Leonardi, Alessandro Lupatin, Riccardo Vendramin, Andrea Marinelli (piano)
Pdfs of the scores available in the general Section CATALOG OF WORKS

Micromusic1
(2024)