The works collected here, written for various orchestral settings, with or without voice, offer a solid, though not exhaustive, representation of Matteo D’Amico’s distinctive place on the contemporary compositional horizon. His works showcase a unique ability to fuse thought with musical matter, gesture with form, and sound with meaning. This thread runs through his extensive catalogue, always conveyed with strong conviction and striking results.

One hallmark of D’Amico’s style is the recurring opening passage, almost like an author’s signature, that often introduces his works. It sets the stage, pauses, listens to the voices of fellow travellers, and then resumes the journey. This is evident in Le creature di Ade (The Creatures of Hades), a ‘concert ouverture’ composed in 2004 and dedicated to Daniele Gatti, its first conductor. The title references Beethoven’s The Creatures of Prometheus, written for a choreography by Salvatore Viganò.

The work evokes the darkness of Hades, the terrifying depth of its abysses, and the fear experienced by those who dare to cross it. This sense of anxious waiting allows a more hopeful trace to emerge – an anticipation that builds as the journey unfolds. The work culminates in a sudden burst of lively rhythm, leaving the listener breathless, while within the structure of the classically arranged orchestra, the colours of the saxophone and the dynamic variety of percussion come to the fore.