San Giovanni Valdarno, tre compositori scrivono cadenze inedite per Mozart: il progetto del festival

In its twenty-first iteration, the San Giovanni Valdarno classical music festival has embarked on an innovative project that bridges centuries of musical tradition. Rather than presenting Mozart’s concertos in a conventional fashion, the festival commissioned three young composers under the age of 35 to create nine new, original cadenzas for Mozart’s piano concertos. This initiative reflects a deliberate choice to treat Mozart’s oeuvre as a living, evolving repertoire rather than a fixed archive.

The festival, held in the Tuscan town of San Giovanni Valdarno in the province of Arezzo, has developed a reputation for combining historical musical heritage with contemporary creativity. Its 2026 edition, running from October 18 to December 13, is under the artistic direction of Maestro Andrea Turini, with junior direction by Maestro Gabriele Cerofolini. The commissioning of new compositions aligns with the festival’s broader commitment to nurturing younger generations of musicians and composers.

The three composers engaged in this project are Enea Chisci, Giovanni Vannoni, and Giulio Piras. Each was tasked with writing cadenzas that would be performed alongside Mozart’s original piano concertos during the festival’s program. While specifics on which concertos Chisci and Vannoni addressed remain limited, it is confirmed that Piras composed a new cadenza for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 19 in F major, K. 459, a piece noted for its intricate counterpoint and expressive potential for the soloist.

Historically, cadenzas within classical concertos allowed soloists a moment of improvisation or personal expression without orchestral accompaniment. Mozart himself composed a few cadenzas, and over time other musicians have added their own interpretations. However, the common practice today often involves performing established cadenzas by Beethoven or the composer himself when available. By commissioning fresh cadenzas, the San Giovanni Valdarno festival challenges this norm and encourages a creative dialogue between the classical canon and contemporary musical language.

This approach requires the composers to navigate a complex compositional task: honoring Mozart’s distinctive harmonic and thematic style while incorporating their own voices and innovations. The resulting cadenzas promise diversity, reflecting the varied backgrounds and artistic perspectives of the young composers. This diversity not only enriches the concert experience but also demonstrates how classical forms can serve as fertile ground for new musical ideas.

The festival’s choice to premiere these cadenzas in venues such as the Pieve di San Giovanni Battista underscores its dedication to connecting music with the region’s historic spaces. The opening concert featured pianist Simone Pedroni and cellist Christiana Coppola, highlighting the festival’s blend of tradition and innovation. The acoustics of such ecclesiastical venues complement the intimate and expressive nature of chamber and solo repertoire.

San Giovanni Valdarno may not be among Italy’s major cultural capitals, yet its festival’s programming decisions have positioned it as a significant platform for contemporary contributions to classical music. The commitment to funding and presenting nine new cadenzas represents a substantial investment, underscoring the festival’s ambition to be more than a mere presenter of standard repertoire.

The project’s significance extends beyond the immediate performances; it contributes new works to the global Mozart repertoire, encouraging performers and audiences alike to reconsider the role of the cadenza. By fostering composition that dialogues with Mozart’s language, the festival offers a model for how regional festivals can invigorate classical music with fresh creativity.

With the festival continuing through December 2026, enthusiasts and scholars can anticipate further performances of these new cadenzas. Details on the complete program are available through the festival’s official channels and local cultural resources. This initiative exemplifies how tradition and innovation can coexist in classical music, ensuring that Mozart’s concertos remain vibrant and relevant in the 21st century.