VINCENT PERSICHETTI: A 20th Century Composer (1983 Documentary) 

Mahler: "This is my special hut where I wrote three and a half symphonies in complete peace and solitude." Persichetti: "This is my Dodge 400, or whatever boxy generic 80s coupe it is I have. I usually compose on the Schuylkill Expressway or Roosevelt Boulevard on my way between work and home, and sometimes in motel parking lots at night." That seriously has to be the most unhinged compositional practice Ive ever seen. What a ridiculous and incredible man.

What an amazing and deep composer. There are no words to describe the feel i have as I’m listening to him and his wife talk about music and life. I have been reading through some of his easy piano pieces. They are so beautiful and fun to play.

Seeing him write in the car made me so anxious.

I remember being very young in a local district honor band and being handed the sheet music for Pageant. It was a surprise site read for the group last minute to see if we could squeeze it into the performance just a few hours away. I remember hearing all the parts together and literally, nearly being brought to tears at how beautiful the piece was. The chording was so unique and strange and it held every ounce of my attention. So much so, I missed my meager little snare drum parts. I've never had a composer touch my heart the way Vincent has. His music is still hugely influential to me this day, no matter the genre I'm writing in. Also a little fun fact, my son is named Vincent. Not necessarily after Persichetti, but I like to think his influence has made me like the name.

A very precious half-hour: an illuminating portrait of one of America's greatest composers.

It is such a pleasure to hear and see Persichetti. I had heard broadcasts of him discussing his music, but it gives a special vibrancy to see him at work and in conversation about his development as a composer.

Love Persichetti! Him & Schumann are who inspired me to start using polytonality in my works. Just watching this documentary makes me want to go to the piano and write!

Thank you for this - it's great to remember him as a person as well as a composer. I wonder if we'll ever get a recording of his magnum opus, The Creation. To me, it is scandalous that there isn't one (although I think there's a tape of the premier somewhere - it should be made public, I think).

One of my favorite composers!! Thank you for this :)

Wonderful documentary about the Italian-American composer born in Philadelphia and intimately involved in Philly musical life for much of his life. I totally agree with what he says in the opening sentence of this documentary. A brilliant statement.

I remember my band director talking about this documentary back in high school. Persichetti is one of my favorites, it's interesting to get an insight into what he was like.

I didn’t know about this! I’ve been a huge fan of Persichetti’s work for a while, so it means a lot to see him teaching, composing, and talking about his process. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much for this! He’s a brilliant man!

Thanks for sharing this documentary! I'll never forget finding Persichetti's book, Twentieth Century Harmony, in 1969. I learned so much from it and it's still a prize possession on my bookshelf to this day! I've studied his music and read a lot about him over the years, but I am so happy to see this documentary and to actually see and hear him talk about his life and music. Thank you!

Great stuff. Thanks for posting this, Antoine!!

Loved it

🎂Vincent Persichetti 06-06-2022

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Pageant and symphony for band

I’m not even listening to the music it’s just for a homework