This past month has been an unforgettable journey. I was honored to be selected for Salvatore Sciarrino’s composition class at the Chigiana Musical Academy in Siena, Italy. For those unfamiliar, the Chigiana is a prestigious summer academy that brings composers and musicians from around the world together for an intense, immersive month of music-making in the heart of Tuscany.
Being in Siena, surrounded by its timeless beauty, was inspiring in itself. But what truly made this experience extraordinary was the opportunity to breathe in the pure enthusiasm of composing, to explore sound with absolute freedom, and to realize just how much this art form continues to evolve thanks to those who came before us.
It’s easy to take for granted the creative liberties we now have, but this month reminded me that composition is a living, breathing practice, one that demands both discipline and boundless imagination.
One of the most meaningful aspects of this journey was the sense of community. Learning under Maestro Sciarrino was truly transformative; his insights, his challenges, his approach to music, and, most importantly, his constant philosophical reflections pushed me to refine my creative process in unpredictable ways. Working with the extraordinary Quartetto Prometeo, who brought our ideas to life with precision and sensitivity, was another unforgettable highlight. And then, of course, my fellow composers: a group of brilliant talents from all around the world. Conversations with them, hearing their works, and witnessing their growth over the month taught me more than years of study ever could.
It was hard at times, too. As the course took most of the day, we had only the night time for working on our string quartets. And composing in the heart of Siena while the Palio was in full swing was a challenge like no other. Yet, despite the chaos, I managed to bring a new piece to life: Retrospective.
As I leave Siena, I do so with deep gratitude: to the Academy for making this experience possible, to Maestro Sciarrino for his guidance, to the musicians for their talent, to my classmates for their inspiration, and—yes—to myself, for embracing every challenge and pushing my own boundaries.
This month reaffirmed my belief that music is a limitless, ever-evolving force, and that composition represents one of the greatest freedoms we can experience. As Sciarrino often reminded us, being free means exercising the power of choice—even though choices often come with renunciations.
Long live music! Long live composition!
Here are a few pictures kindly shared by my fellow composer, Pietro Dossena, and a little gem from the hands of Ilary Barnes: a cartoon reminiscent of Leonardo’s Last Supper, featuring the Academy’s participants.
