The project

Why recover the entire original output for wind band by Amilcare Ponchielli on the occasion of the 190th anniversary of his birth, celebrated in 2024?

For the preservation of historical and artistic heritage: in 2021 we carried out research and digitization of the scores preserved at the Biblioteca Statale di Cremona, along with their restoration and safeguarding.
For scholarly study: several experts and university departments are interested in studying these scores in their original form—namely, written for the instruments that were in use at the time.
For this reason, since 2021 more than ninety scores have been transcribed into digital format using specialized music notation software.
For dissemination: since 2022 all the scores have also been adapted for modern wind band instrumentation in digital format using dedicated notation software. This step is essential to allow modern bands to perform this musical heritage, helping to bring Ponchielli’s band repertoire to contemporary audiences not only in Italy but around the world.
To support wind bands: in recent years financial support for bands has virtually disappeared. Considering the average cost of sheet music, making the scores available on this website free of charge will significantly help bands by allowing them considerable savings.
And finally, because it is music of high artistic value, deserving to be rediscovered and presented to today’s audiences.

First phase of the Ponchielli Project: research, digitization and preservation of the scores

The first phase involved the scanning and digitization of the musical scores preserved at the Biblioteca Statale di Cremona. These documents were first restored and then placed in special archival containers to protect them from future damage. The work was carried out in collaboration with specialized companies to ensure the highest quality of the process while also guaranteeing the utmost protection of the valuable original documents.

Second phase of the project: Transcription of the Scores for the Original Instrumentation

More than ninety scores have been transcribed in their original instrumentation using specialized music notation software. This phase is crucial for musicological research and was carried out in collaboration with the Department of Musicology of the University of Pavia and the “Amilcare Ponchielli” Study Center in Cremona. The transcription work was entrusted to Maestro Emiliano Gusperti, a recognized Ponchielli expert.

Third Phase of the Project: Adapting the Scores for Modern Instrumentation

At the same time, the scores were adapted for modern wind band instrumentation, allowing Ponchielli’s music to be performed by contemporary ensembles. This phase was also overseen by Maestro Emiliano Gusperti, using advanced music notation software.

Fourth Phase of the Project: Presentation of the Work

Three events were organized to present the results of the project. The first took place on August 31, 2024, to mark the composer’s birthday. In Paderno Ponchielli (Province of Cremona), Ponchielli’s birthplace, experts, scholars, and project coordinators alternated with musical performances by the FilHarmonia Chamber Winds conducted by Maestro Denis Salvini. Two Gala Concerts were then held at the Teatro Ponchielli in Cremona and at the Teatro Municipale in Piacenza on September 19 and 20, 2024. Why Cremona and Piacenza? Because these are the cities where Amilcare Ponchielli conducted the respective municipal ensembles. The events featured the prestigious Banda dell’Esercito Italiano, conducted by Major Maestro Filippo Cangiamila. A selection of the musical works recovered through the project was presented in their modern premiere, more than one hundred years after their last performance.

Fifth Phase of the Project: Publication of the OMNIA

The project website will host the musical scores and videos that allow users to listen to the pieces while browsing through the pages. In addition, the scanned images of the historical documents will also be available on the website of the ICCU (Central Institute for the Union Catalogue of Italian Libraries and for Bibliographic Information).

Sixth and Seventh Phases of the Project: Publication of the Arrangements and Distribution

The musical scores in PDF format will be freely available to all wind bands in Italy and around the world through this website. This will help promote Ponchielli’s works both nationally and internationally. The aim is to prevent the restored scores, after such a long process, from simply returning to gather dust on library shelves. The music must once again be heard in the places for which it was conceived and composed: streets, squares, and theatres—bringing it back to life for today’s audience.