A Triumphant Finale to ModComFest 2025 as Fabrizio Meloni Shines in Petrossian’s Clarinet Concerto
Under the inspired direction of Teresa Satalino, Music Director of AYSO Orchestra, the event offered a programme that bridged tradition and innovation, marking a fitting culmination to a festival wholly dedicated to the works and legacy of contemporary composer Michel Petrossian that has now stopped at six different venues across both Italy and France.
Over the course of the evening, audiences were treated to various seminal works from the canon, including Joaquín Rodrigo’s famed Concierto de Aranjuez, Georges Bizet’s L'Arlesienne Suite No. 2 ‘Farandole’, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s beloved Capriccio Espagnol, but the highlight of the occasion proved to be the Composer-in-Residence’s own Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, a work of remarkable depth, introspection, and lyrical intensity.
Speaking about his experience of Petrossian’s music, Meloni described it as being both challenging and deeply rewarding, noting that “this was my first encounter with the music of Petrossian, a composer of remarkable depth and originality. His work reveals a compelling blend of introspection and lyricism, supported by an orchestral palette rich in timbral and coloristic nuance. The score is in constant evolution, technically, harmonically, and in its imaginative suggestiveness, demonstrating both a firm grounding in tradition and an innovative, forward-looking spirit.”
“It is always stimulating and captivating to approach a new piece of music”, the soloist added. “I have always paid close attention to the repertoire of the 20th century, and during the preparation process, I made a point of researching the composer in depth. Ultimately, in working on this particular piece, my aim was to faithfully render every aspect of the score, from its demanding instrumental virtuosity to its lyrical and expressive passages. At times, it abruptly transitions into a strikingly modern and contemporary language, and within just a few moments too, showcasing the composer’s ability to fuse tradition with innovation!”
In her role as conductor, meanwhile, Satalino drew vivid, expressive performances from the AYSO Orchestra, eliciting praise from audience members in attendance, as well as Meloni himself, who declared that “it has been a joy to collaborate for the first time with the AYSO Orchestra, a remarkable ensemble with eight years of inspiring activity. I am also deeply grateful to have worked with Teresa Satalino, the soul and driving force behind this project. Making music with such a dedicated and passionate conductor has been a beautiful and enriching experience!”
With this being the final concert within this latest edition of ModComFest, the maestro also reflected on the significance of the event, remarking that, “I am truly honored to close ModComFest 2025; what a wonderful and unexpected surprise! With this festival, we have a truly important and prestigious event that is supporting us, a platform that allows us to promote and advance classical music through the new languages of contemporary composers, which is absolutely fundamental!”
“I must also highlight the remarkable figure of Konstantin Ishkhanov”, he continued, “a man of extraordinary culture, deep sensitivity, and refined awareness, whose vision and commitment have been instrumental in making all this possible. Thanks to people like him, we now have a real and tangible opportunity to bring forth new music, modern musical languages, vibrant and relevant to our times, languages that challenge, inspire, and enrich the cultural landscape.”
Konstantin Ishkhanov, the President of ModComFest, himself expressed similar sentiment about the festival’s achievements, observing that “ModComFest 2025 has shown that contemporary music is not only alive but thriving. Michel Petrossian’s artistry has united musicians and audiences from around the world through works that speak to the timeless human spirit. This final concert, with Fabrizio Meloni, Teresa Satalino, and the AYSO Orchestra, was a fitting tribute to that vision, and it was extremely satisfying to see this wonderful festival ending on such a beautiful note!”
With its bold commitment to living composers and its celebration of musical innovation, ModComFest has now firmly reaffirmed its place as one of the most dynamic and forward-looking events on today’s international music calendar. For all the latest news about the event, and information about upcoming editions, make sure to check out the official website for the 2025 edition at petrossian.modcomfest.com.
