In the Bleak Midwinter

"In the Bleak Midwinter" is the last Christmas song composed by Andrea Montalbano on the text of the famous homonymous poem written by Christina Georgina Rossetti. This melody, characterized by a classic music atmosphere, was born spontaneously, as if it were already set in the verses. The composition is performed by soprano Motomi Tanaka and pianist Mari Kotskyy and was recorded in December 2020 at the Cutting Room Studio in New York.

The text of the poem “In the Bleak Midwinter” has already been put in music by Gustav Holst (in 1906) and by Harold Darke (in 1911), so Andrea Montalbano took the opportunity to relate himself with these two compositions, putting in music newly this splendid text, relying on his own musical sensibility.

Andrea Montalbano (Italy, 1990) is a musician active in various musical fields. He graduated in clarinet with honors at the Conservatory “A. Scontrino” of Trapani and obtained the qualification to teach the musical instrument at the Conservatory “G. B. Martini” in Bologna. During the same period of study, Andrea has started his composition activity, writing the first works. His works have been awarded in national and international competitions and have been performed in many events and festivals. Some of his compositions are published and also available in digital stores. Andrea is clarinet teacher in the Middle School since 2014.