Il Natale in Sicilia (Christmas in Sicily)

Pietro Yon (1886-1943) was born in Settimo Vittone, (Piedmont, Italy), and studied at the conservatories of both Milan and Turin, also attending the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome; among his teachers in Milan was Polibio Fumagalli. He served for a time as an organist at the Vatican and at the Royal Church in Rome. He came to the United States in 1907 to serve at the Church of St. Francis Xavier in NYC, until his appointment as Assistant Organist at St. Patrick's Cathedral in 1926, and as Organist in 1928.

He was actually quite a significant composer, as is testified to on the Concert Hall by fine performances of his some of his larger works by Wolfram Syre.

"Il Natale in Sicilia" (Christmas in Sicily) was published by G. Schirmer in 1912, and was written while Yon was still organist of St. Francis Xavier.

It's a very evocative piece that features the effects of chimes (church bells) [played here on flutes], bagpipes, and flutes. Despite the lack of chimes, the piece sounds wonderful on the colorful, "rustic" sounds of the St. Omer Cavaillé-Coll, losing nothing at all in the "translation".

Now, you all know my ridiculous sense of humor, so, despite the fact that my wife told me NOT to say this, well, I just HAVE to...

"Christmas in Sicily" is NOT a holiday sequel to "The Godfather!" ;-)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY FRIENDS HERE - particularly my WONDERFUL ITALIAN FRIENDS! :-)