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SOUNDS OF DOLOMITES. SINGING MOUNTAINS No.19/17.08
- victorshramko
- Aug 17
- 3 min read
August. The time of the highest temperatures and the largest crowds in rest areas. Paroxysm of the summer, trying to squeeze the last sweat out of us. Especially in places like Kuwait. Even the Gulf temperatures are climbing up the globe due to global warming. Then, I invite you to concerts in naturally cooler circumstances.
Our friends go to Italy, to the Dolomites mountains every year. Why? I wanted to discover why my friends fell in love with this particular spot on the globe. And here are the results. Are they interested in climbing rocks? No, they answered, because of the sound of the Dolomites'
Singing the Soul and the Body of Nature
Does this mean that these mountains sing? All of nature sings. The mountains too. But these mountains have been singing differently for 30 years.
The Dolomites, known for their breathtaking landscapes, have become the stage for a unique art project; 'I Suoni delle Dolomiti' i.e. Sound of Dolomites. This outdoor music festival combines the sounds of nature with the sounds of music.
It is an extraordinary experience for lovers of nature and art. We listen to classical music, jazz, world music, and even musical theatre. The concerts take place among rocky cliffs and Alpine pastures. In places where both performers and audience will have to reach on foot. For example, on Sept. 1st this year, Marion Brunelli with the Polish Cello Quartet's concert will be held on Col Margherita at an altitude of 2,500 m.
The majority of concerts start at 12:00, but this special event 'Sunrise in Dolomites' starts at 6:30 a.m. at the crack of dawn when the sun peeks from behind the mountains.
Fidelity to the Principles and Values
The Festival was born as a project to promote the mountains and the Trentino region. Also, the aim was to raise people's awareness of this delicate environment through a marriage with music. The Founder and Artistic Director is Paolo Manfrini. The fact that we've managed to carry on an event for 29 years without ever betraying its founding values, such as respect for nature and an approach that is as non-invasive as possible. This style has an educational role from the environmental perspective.
This year's 30th Anniversary Festival will run between August 27th and October 4th. Tickets are free of charge. The real price of participation is the willingness to be there, getting up early in the morning. To get to the 'concert halls' you have to walk your way to the concert with your own feet. Even most of the musicians also have to bring on their shoulders their instruments. (Pianists can count on exceptional support :)
Musical Pilgrims
The Festival also includes 'Trekking del Suoni', a special 3-day project. Musicians and participants journey into the mountains with Alpine guides, sharing their daily lives on the road, in the mountain hut, and at intimate, exclusive concerts. Performances depend on the inspiration of the place, the kindness of the weather, and the rhythm of the group that is formed around this unique experience. The trip usually ends with a concert at the Contrin Refuge at the foot of Marmolada Peak, the highest in the Dolomites.
Sometimes listeners walked for 4 hours at night to hear the memorable event Under the Tree's Voices. 400 people participated in that march. On the same day, 1,500 people attended the evening concert. Maybe something that requires effort tastes better. You feel like you're really a participant.
Let Us Remember Everyone
There are also events organized for disabled people. They use shuttle transport. Even the deaf can somehow receive music vibrations through the innovative touchscreen backpack Subpac.
Children are not forgotten either. A comic concert will take place on Sept. 30th.
For one day, the panoramic terrace of Pradalago will turn into a stage where soloists from Osiris Gang will perform Prokofiev's musical fairy tale 'Peter & Wolf'. It will be complemented with quotes from Mozart, Bizet, and … Walt Disney. There will also be
an eco-friendly fairy tale inspired by the story of Pinocchio.
What are the Sounds of Dolomites? A musical feast, a shared journey, space, silence, lights, the sounds of nature, with respect for the land and tradition.
What are they not? They are not easy. They're demanding. The path leads through mountains. The effort only enhances the authenticity of this experience and aesthetic sensation, the uniqueness of this musical feast among the rocks.
Enough words.
Let us play: S. Prokofiev - Peter and the Wolf (arr. for Wind Quintet)
Funny and GREAT!
Written by
Cezary Owerkowicz
Co-founder of Kuwait Music Academy and
Director of Treasure of Talents Festival in Kuwait
