Massimo Guida is one of this seasonās Composer Fellows. His new work titled Hope is the Last Goddess will have its world premiere on May 3 at James Ehnes Plays Tchaikovsky. Read the following blog and Q&A to learn about Massimo and his new piece.
About Massimo Guida
Toronto-based Italian-Canadian composer, theorist, educator and copyist Massimo Guida was born in Modena, Italy, and has lived in Canada since 2008. He completed his doctoral studies in composition at the University of Toronto in 2019. Described by La Scena Musicale in 2012 as a composer who writes with āa particularly strong melodic inspiration,ā Massimo seeks to combine his fondness for Italian melodic lyricism and storytelling with a contemporary musical language in his works. Massimoās compositions and arrangements have been performed in Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy and South Korea. Massimo served as the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra New Generation Affiliate Composer during the 2020ā21 season, and also took part at the Orford Music Academy in 2020. A keen supporter of contemporary music in Canada, Massimo also sat on the board of the Canadian League of Composers as an Ontario councillor between 2020 and 2022. Outside of composition, Massimo is passionate about music theory and education. He balances composing and pursuing his research interests in analysis of Italian twentieth century music by working as a copyist and as a classical guitar and music theory teacher.
Q&A with Massimo Guida
ABOUT MASSIMO GUIDA’S NEW PIECE
HPO: Tell us a little bit about your piece. What inspired you? Is there a story behind the music?
MASSIMO GUIDA: My piece was inspired by hope and the struggle to remain positive and to keep pushing through during times of strife, in pursuit of a goal or a dream. It was initially inspired by my own difficulties with kick-starting my compositional career after completing my studies and then getting this wonderful opportunity with the HPO. But as I was composing it, with everything going on around us, it began to take on a broader meaning that I hope will resonate with anyone going through difficult times. Iām hoping the audience will be able to recognise the gradual journey from darkness to light in my piece, and the ups and downs represented by tension and resolution. The theme of finding light amidst the darkness is one which I have returned to often compositionally, as it has often resonated with me and my own personal struggles to stay positive even during more strenuous periods. Composition, and music more broadly, have often been outlets which have allowed me to cope with these struggles.
The title is a translation of the Latin phrase āSpes, ultima dea,ā which is a reference to the myth of Pandoraās jar, and the fact that hope was the only thing left when it was opened, after countless evils had been unleashed.
ABOUT COMPOSING
HPO: Is this your first time composing for full orchestra?
MASSIMO: This is the first time that I have composed for a professional orchestra, which is really exciting for me, but I do have experience composing and arranging music for university and community orchestras.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER FELLOWSHIP
HPO: How has your experience been working with the HPO? What aspects of your fellowship have you particularly enjoyed so far?
MASSIMO: Itās been a really informative, positive and wonderful experience overall. Itās difficult to choose one or only a few aspects in particular, but having the opportunity to help James by cover-conducting for Sibeliusās 2nd Symphony and Griegās Piano Concerto in A minor during rehearsals was really exciting. It was also fantastic to get the chance to present about Beethoven and perform at the āTalk and Teaā session in January of this year. Getting to know the HPOās audience and to connect with them and learn what they enjoy about all the concerts and events that the HPO puts on was a really wonderful experience. Itās great to see how close a community there is among HPO patrons as well.
HPO: Has anything about the composer fellowship surprised you?
MASSIMO: Seeing as I donāt play an orchestral instrument, it was an exciting experience for me to be able to attend rehearsals and hear some of the conductorās comments and insights into these pieces. Learning about the way a professional orchestra runs and about the various duties of staff members was also very eye-opening for me.
MUSICAL INSPIRATIONS
HPO: Who are some orchestral composers that have inspired you and your taste and style in this genre?
MASSIMO: If Iām allowed to pick a composer who wrote for orchestra but in the context of operatic rather than symphonic composition, then I can never forget that my compatriot Giacomo Pucciniās music had a major influence on me when I was first getting interested in Western classical music. The way he combined the melodic lyricism of Italian music with such a colourful and dramatic use of the orchestra really captivated me, and I formed a strong emotional connection with it, which is what drew me to want to compose music myself. Iām an introvert, and I find it easier at times to express myself through music, and I like finding ways to connect with others in the audience through this medium as well.
Although I enjoy every style of music, and I try to listen to as much contemporary music as I can, and Iām constantly inspired by the brilliant music of my peers and colleagues, I canāt deny that late Romantic and twentieth century music definitely has a special place in my heart. I have the deepest emotional connection to music that is lyrical and more thematically driven. Itās always difficult to pick only a few names, but some orchestral composers who have inspired me are Tchaikovsky, Sibelius, Holst, Schƶnberg, Dallapiccola, Shostakovich and Penderecki, among many others. Film music is also a deep passion of mine, and composers like Nino Rota, Bernard Herrmann, Jerry Goldsmith, Shirley Walker, Ennio Morricone and John Williams, to name but a few, have all inspired my orchestral writing as well.
HPO: How about a non-orchestral artist that inspires you?
MASSIMO: Once again, itās so hard for me to pick just one! Iām a guitarist, so I grew up listening to various sub-genres of rock music (especially classic rock, punk rock, and progressive rock), and bands like Queen, Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, and Muse, among many others, have had a major influence on me in terms of their sound, creativity, and ability to write fantastic guitar riffs, solos, and melodic hooks. I also really like many artists outside of rock music, such as Elton John, John Legend, and Sara Bareilles, and my partner Kathryn, who is a past HPO composer fellow, really got me into the music of Paul Simon. I suppose if I have to pick one, Iād maybe go for Queen, because of how intricate and theatrical their music is, on top of being so memorable and anthemic.
Donāt miss the world premiere of Hope is the Last Goddess by Massimo Guida on May 3!
James Ehnes Plays Tchaikovsky
Saturday, May 3 at 7:30pm
FirstOntario Concert Hall
James Kahane, Conductor
James Ehnes, Violin
- Massimo Guida (24-25 Composer Fellow), Hope is the last Goddess
- Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto
- Mahler, Symphony No.1