Information/Write-up
ABOUT LUCIO AGOSTINI
Lucio Agostini has built up a solid reputation in Europe and North America via his composing and conducting assignments. Born in Italy, Lucio moved to Canada with his parents when he was 5. He studied all the woodwind instruments and the violoncello. At the same time he studied harmony and composition, and was able to experiment with his father’s orchestra. His father, Giuseppe Agostini is a prominent composer and conductor at the C.B.C.
Lucio turned professional when he was 16, became a solo cellist in the Montreal Philharmonic, and also a member of a night club band as a saxophone and clarinet player. Later he was engaged by the C.B.C. as composer for dramatic shows. He then became musical director of Associated Screen News. He began a series of radio programmes called, “The Stage Series” which ran from 1944 to 1955. Through this series Lucio won four successive Canadian Radio Awards as the best composer-conductor in Canada.
Lucio wrote for “The Ford Theatre”; “CBC Wednesday Night”; “Let There Be Music”; “Appointment With Agostini”; “Whispering Strings”; and many others.
He is an experienced musical comedy conductor, having led the “Theatre Under The Stars” singers and orchestra for two successive years. He is one of the most respected musicians in Canada since he has always demanded the best musicianship and discipline from the members of his orchestras.
Sir Ernest MacMillan, conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, has played symphonic arrangements and compositions by Agostini. Bernard Herrman conducted a score by Agostini in a play called “Life With Adam” featuring Fletcher Markle and produced by Orson Welles.
Lucio has written a musical comedy “WILLIE THE SQUOWSE” and plans are being made to have it produced in London, England. Now with this album Lucio Agostini prepares to conquer new worlds and he has proved throughout the years that in the field of music there will always be “Action” with Agostini.
LUCIO AGOSTINI COMMENTS ON THE SELECTIONS IN THIS ALBUM
TAXI: (Lucio Agostini)
A man in search. Not for happiness. Not for money. But for the most elusive of all things—a taxi.
COASTIN’: (Ricky Hyslop)
Hyslop, who is now doing the maestro chores on the Juliette CBC TV Program, wrote this waltz for another TV show called ‘Telescope’. Waltz and Jazz—a tasty mixture for the educated ear.
HOEDOWN: (Charles Camilleri)
As a dance the jig is popular all over the world. Whether Canadian, American, Irish or English its happy lilt finds every man and woman tapping their feet.
CENTIPEDIANTICS: (Lucio Agostini)
For the sober man to pronounce. And for the sober fiddler to play!
PRAIRIE BOY: (Morris Surdin)
This was written as theme music for a scenario for a film by W. O. Mitchell called ‘WHO HAS SEEN THE WIND’. It depicts well the imposing panorama of the West with its lonesomeness.
JOLLY JUMPING JACK: (Johnny Burt)
This selection typifies the versatility of Canada’s most sought after arranger-composer.
FIDDLERS’ FROLIC: (Allan Mclver)
No rest for the wicked. Again our fiddlers grab the bow by the horn. The result—with a slight taste of the Latin-American—demonstrates the quality of the Canadian composer and performer.
GOLD LEAF: (Lucio Agostini)
What is Goldleaf? Part of a plant! A sheet of metal! A new drink! When you hear this let your imagination run unrestrained. Maybe you'll find the answer.
SULKY RACE: (Fred Rous)
The place—Manitoba. The site—The Carmen Fair. The event—A harness race. In it, Fred Rous tries to give the musical feeling from the start of the race, the strain and pull, down the back stretch. The winner? 30 musicians in a deadheat.
TUTTI FLUTTI: (Bert Niosi)
Bert is a very versatile musician. He could have performed this solo on sax, clarinet, flute, piccolo, trumpet, trombone or piano. However he chose the lightest one to transport—the Tin Flute.
A NIGHT IN SPAIN: (Lucio Agostini)
The theme song of a yet-unproduced television series called ‘Tonight in Havana’... Produced by Desi Arnaz, Directed by Fletcher Markle, with a cast of well-known Hollywood celebrities. The flavour is very Cuban and nostalgic of the wonderful days and nights spent in Havana.
CAPRICE CANADIEN: (Freddy Grant)
A tribute to Freddy’s adopted country—Canada. He was born in Germany and composed the most famous song of World War II—“You’ll get used to it.” The title became a catch phrase of the Allies and helped sustain the morale which carried us to final victory.
MARCH WIND: (Morris C. Davis)
Originally written for woodwind quartet. Morris describes it as a musical pastel in the popular idiom with a somewhat wistful feeling.
THE WORLD OF MUSIC: (Len Casey)
Music is a sideline to Len. He is one of the major television producers at the CBC. A few years ago Len produced a musical series for the CBC called “The World of Music”. Len assigned me to write the theme song for the series. The result is herewith.
This recording is a project of The Canadian Association of Broadcasters and the Composers, Authors and Publishers Association of Canada (CAB–CAPAC), and was produced under the supervision of the Canadian Music Centre.
Ted Roderman: trombone
Erich Traugott: trumpet
Ron Rully: drums
Albert Pratz: violin
Bert Niosi: saxophone
Moe Koffman: saxophone
Lloyd Edwards: piano
Peter Appleyard: percussion
Murray Lauder: bass
Guido Basso: trumpet
Produced by Keith MacMillan
Recorded at Hallmark Studio, Toronto, Ontario
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