Vittorio Giannini, a member of a distinguished Italian-American musical family, was a prolific composer. Although his creative work embraced all standard musical genres, he was best known for his operatic and vocal music, and for his pieces for concert band. All his works are notable for their warm expressivity, ingratiating lyricism and impeccable craftsmanship. Giannini’s Symphony No. 3 for Wind Band, his most frequently performed and recorded work, has become a staple of the band repertoire. Variations and Fugue, one of the composer’s late works, explores a darker, more personal mode of expression.