Paul Lewis

Postcards from Bologna

Bologna is known as la Dotta, la Grassa, la Rossa - the Learned, the Fat, the Red. These three musical postcards are evocations of these three facets and are dedicated to harpist Gabriella Dall'Olio, a native of Bologna, in celebration of her home town.
1. La Dotta - the Learned
Solemn and serious as befits this ancient seat of learning. Bologna University, founded in 1088, was soon renowned for its teaching of religious and civil law and led the way in European scientific research. A sombre note is struck by the survival of an ornate anatomical theatre with a marble slab on which human corpses were dissected while students watched from the surrounding banks of seats.
2. La Grassa - the Fat
All the happiness and hustle-bustle of cafe life in the city centre as local families and tourists enjoy Bologna's famous cuisine! Street musicians stop at tables outside and a fiddler steps inside to serenade diners with a romantic ballad. The present melodies are all original and no genuine Italian tunes were harmed in the creation of this piece!
3. La Rossa - the Red
Le Due Torri, the famous Two Towers, and the splendid mediaeval buildings lining the Piazza Maggiore are built of the red bricks that lend their distinctive hue to this splendid city. Paul Lewis

Duration 12 minutes