Violinist and composer Salvatore Di Lorenzo, (Maiastra alumnus - July 2021), recently premiered his Violin Concerto No. 1, titled “The 20s”, in Bremen. The performance was conducted by Leander Kippenberg, who is also a Maiastra alumnus from January 2015. The work, commissioned and performed by Strings Unlimited Bremen, a semi-professional orchestra based in Bremen, highlights Di Lorenzo’s expertise as both a performer and composer.

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Composed for violin, string orchestra, and percussion, the concerto draws upon a diverse range of early 20th-century musical styles, incorporating elements of minimalism, post-romanticism, and folk traditions. The piece was composed primarily during the summer of 2024, a period marked by Di Lorenzo’s extensive travels across Germany, Hungary, Turkey, Italy, and Switzerland. Reflecting on the process, Di Lorenzo notes:

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“…I spent much of my time in the coastal regions of Sicily and Turkey, where I found the space I needed for reflection and, of course, composition. Throughout this work, and across its movements, we can feel the way I connect reflection with the nature of the Mediterranean Sea and the way that inspires my composition.”

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Regarding the title, Di Lorenzo explains, "The 20s’ serves as a play on words, referencing both the influence of the 1920s and my experience composing at age 21 in the current decade. I wanted it to feel like a fun, light, yet substantial journey; reimagining the violin concerto as something imaginative and integrative, with the violin guiding the orchestra through unfamiliar places and sounds, all through the language of new music.”

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Each movement of the concerto offers a distinct character, unified by a common energy and spirit. The work reflects Di Lorenzo’s engagement with the dynamic relationship between tradition and innovation, as well as the intersection of composition and performance.

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Looking forward, Salvatore Di Lorenzo aims to present the concerto to broader audiences, including a UK premiere, and to further develop projects that combine his interests in composition and performance.

To listen to the premiere in Bremen, follow the link below:

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYsMCuOad20