Italy mourns a noted musicologist
mainThe doyen of Italian musicologists Mario Bortolotto died yesterday at 90.
A widely read man, rooted in late romanticism, he belonged to the generation of Berio and Nono, challenging preconceptions and pushing music forward into present times.
Obituary here.
I knew very well Mario Bortolotto since when he was Artistic Director of Radio Orchestra ” Scarlatti” in Naples where he worked for many years programming many new scores. He has been 6 times President of the Jury of the Camillo Togni competition we, the dèdalo ensemble, organize in Brescia before his illness and age blocked him in his Rome house. He was not an easy man but his culture and deep musical knowledge were always so impressive. He has been a so acute testimony of the new music nobody in this field will ever forget him.
A great music critic who will probably be remembered mostly because of his book “Fase seconda: studi sulla nuova musica.” His books about Richard Strauss, Wagner, and the German “Lied” were also memorable. A selection of his writings would form a great volume if translated to any other “cultural” language.