My Published works
20 Jazz Etudes
The Italian cellist Lucio Amanti devotes himself to the crossover between classical and jazz music. His well-known ‘Jazz Suite’ for cello solo bridges the gap between the solo suites by Bach and the jazz music of our time. Now he attends for the first time to the subject of the étude, with suggestions from pop, jazz and improvisation. The individual études use different styles from jazz ballad to samba rhythms to funk music.
Jazz Suite
‘The idea of writing a ‘Jazz Suite for cello solo’ came out when I tried to imagine how it would have sounded like if one of the baroque masters (Gabrielli, Buxtehude, Bach) had lived in our time and wanted to write a suite of dances. I thought it would probably still keep some of the conventions of the traditional form, like maybe the use of a Prelude to establish the key and the alternation of slow with fast movements. But some things would have definitely been different: the harmonies, for example would probably have been more complex and not always tonal. Also the popular dances used as a workbench for the suite would have been not gigues or Bourees but perhaps latin american or Jazz standards. Well, since the great masters are unfortunately not able at the moment to accept my challenge, I had to write it myself. I hope you will enjoy it. The famous cello player Janos Starker says: “Lucio Amanti is a very fine cellist and imaginative composer. His Jazz Suite is an enjoyable mix of jazz and classicism. I much appreciate his work.’ (Janos Starker)
Jazz Duets
Why a book with jazz duets for cello beginners? This book of duets by the Italian jazz cellist and teacher Lucio Amanti wants to give cellists a first introduction into the jazz styles. All 25 pieces are written for the first cello in the first position, with the pieces becoming gradually more demanding with regard to fingering, bowing and harmony.
Many of the pieces contain harmonic symbols in order to give the pupil (and the teacher) the chance to try their first improvisations. They can first play the piece as notated in the book and then repeat the section notated with chords as if it were a jazz standard. A new and fresh impetus for cello lessons!
“Genesis” String Quintet
Amanti’s first string quintet (2V Vl 2C) looks into Creation in less than 20 minutes and is a rewarding interactive audience piece. ‘Spiritual’ is inspired by the gospel tradition. Beautiful solos lead from ‘Genesis’ to ‘Dodecaphonically yours’. ‘Vamp’ (a solo of violin I) represents Adam who has to continue with creation on God’s harmonic canvas. This is where the contact with the audience is initiated, and the joint improvisation results in an emotional concert experience. With information of the composer on the performance of the work.
Jazz Sonata
After ‘Jazz Suite’ for solo violoncello (Schott, CB 224), the Italian cellist and jazz musician Lucio Amanti explores the possibilities of jazz music on the cello in this sonata with piano accompaniment. He wants to offer new ways and styles to cellists coming from the classical tradition. This is why this piece is also based on his own improvisations united in form of a sonata. The result is an interesting crossover effect between jazz music and traditional sonata form, a rewarding concert piece with many different characters and ingredients: a bit of bebop, a touch of Latin and tango, some cool jazz, a hint of Stravinsky and much more. All these elements are treated equally and make this jazz sonata a suitable piece for the concert hall and the jazz club alike. An interesting addition to the repertoire for open-minded cellists.
Jazz Sonata Nr 2
Amantis zweite Jazz-Sonate zeigt eine moderne Seele in Sonatenhauptsatzform: Eckuinox beginnt mit einer schnellen Kadenz des Solocellos und geht über in einen groovigen Ritt bis zum Ende. Rhythmische und „kantable“ Teile sind in der Klavier- und Cellostimme zu identifizieren, die wiederholten Elemente zu variieren und dabei mit verschiedenen Strichen und Akzenten zu experimentieren. Pulcinellas Geheimnis ist ein Tango, der auf dem Pergolesi/Strawinsky-Thema beruht, das mit dem bekanntesten Charakter der neapolitanischen Volkstradition verbunden ist. Das Thema ist die ganze Zeit über verborgen, bis zu dem Moment im ¾-Takt, wo es dann tatsächlich neu harmonisiert zum Vorschein kommt. Dawn – Dämmerung ist der Soundtrack zum Neuanfang. Ceci n’est pas une fugue – Dies ist keine Fuge beinhaltet eine (Art) Doppelfuge über einen Blues und das berühmte „königliche Thema“, inspiriert von der Entstehungsgeschichte des Musikalischen Opfers von J.S. Bach.
