I wanted to post this yesterday for Romeo Cascarino’s birthday, but then life got in the way. It’s a computer realization of a rediscovered work by this sadly underperformed Philadelphia composer.
“Epitaph for a Soldier” was written in 1942/43, when Cascarino was around 20-years-old and serving in the U.S. Army.
According to his widow, soprano Dolores Ferraro, “It’s never been performed, just was among the scores in the basement. Romeo never talked much about the war and I was remiss in [not] asking him more about this piece, though I have my ideas. …[I]t’s stunning; dark with angst, thunder and lightning; yet lyrical and hopeful, too.
“We all know a work of Romeo’s would be beautiful, masterfully written and orchestrated, and it is, but different. Of course, the subject matter calls for this. It’s upsetting, moving and exciting! …What a thrill it gave me to hear what a 20-year-old Romeo composed! How painful to think of what he was feeling during that time….”
Its reemergence is like manna from heaven for admirers of the composer, most of whose orchestral output was issued on a Naxos compact disc conducted by JoAnn Falletta.
There’s a biographical profile of the composer beneath the audio file at the link. The realization is by Cascarino pupil Joe Nocella.
Cascarino’s “Blades of Grass,” for English horn and string orchestra, seems to have become his most-frequently encountered work, after perhaps the Bassoon Sonata and maybe some of the songs. The piece, which has been recorded twice, has, in addition to its other qualities, brevity on its side (at approximately nine minutes), so it gets the most radio air play. The work was inspired by a well-known poem of Carl Sandburg, “Grass,” a somber reflection on the nature of conflict and the futility of war, which makes it a good fit for any Memorial Day concert or radio show. Last year, it came to the notice of the U.S. Marine Band. Perhaps they might also be interested in this recent rediscovery?
Cascarino attained the rank of sergeant. His Bassoon Sonata, which I broadcast yesterday on “Sweetness and Light,” was written for his Army buddy, Sol Schoenbach, who went on to become principal bassoonist of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
“Epitaph for a Soldier” is a valuable addition to the composer’s catalogue and another piece wholly suitable for Memorial Day performance. Is there anyone out there in a position to give it its world premiere?
BTW – There are other works by the composer that have either been similarly realized through electronic means or played only by student performers or by the composer himself in private recordings. These include movements for string quartet, piano works, and even a sextet for winds.
If you are interested in taking a look at any of these, send me a note and I’ll put you in touch with Dolores.
Here’s one of my many posts about the composer from last year.
Happy belated birthday, Romeo Cascarino.
PHOTO: Cascarino (left) with Sol Schoenbach