La notte delle lacrime (2005)

Carlotta Ferrari (b. 1975) — La notte delle lacrime (2005) for organ

"La notte delle lacrime" (The Night of Tears) (2005), subtitled "for the feast day of St. Lawrence," refers to August 10 which commemorates Lawrence of Rome (c. 225-258), an early Christian martyr. The Perseid Meteor shower usually occurs in mid-August, around his feast day, and thus in Italian Catholic tradition is often referred to as the "Tears of St. Lawrence." In this piece, the music begin and ends with a short hymn-like passage. In between occur a series of interlocking canonic modal melodies, which often descend in register. In the middle section, individual notes are heard: small points of light, which aggregate and then dissipate.

Carlotta Ferrari (b. 1975) is an Italian composer, organist, singer, and musical therapist. Educated at the Conservatory in Milan, she has composed in many genres. Notable works include the cantata "Giorno d'ira" (2008), written in memory of the victims of terrorism and performed in Como under the auspices of the president of Italy. Her "Operatic Suite on Melodies of Verdi" has been performed around the world by the Bruno-Valcepina piano duet. Ferrari's music appears on several CD recordings.