“Sommocolonia”
Composer Michael Stimpson’s Suite Gromignana, a four-movement piece for brass quintet, was recorded by Onyx Brass in January 2025. The piece was released on 16th April 2026. The third movement of Michael’s piece for brass quintet is titled ‘Sommocolonia.’ This movement was inspired by the ferocious WWII battle which took place in the hilltop village (located in the Comune di Barga, LU).
Watch and listen to movement 3, ‘Sommolocolonia’ here.
Listen to the entire Suite Gromigana here.
Solace wishes to thank composer Michael Stimpson for offering to share with her Braided in Fire website audience his brass quintet third movement (of his Suite Gromignana) titled ‘Sommocolonia’ which honors the African American soldiers who fought in the village in the fateful battle of December 26th, 1944. It is a moving piece of music and a wonderful tribute. I recommend that viewers listen first to the music alone and then watch the film accompanying the piece. The ‘Sommocolonia’ movement is only four minutes long and definitely warrants listening to several times.
The works of composer Michael Stimpson have been performed, commissioned, and recorded by some of the most distinguished artists including The Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Allegri String Quartet, and many eminent soloists in the UK and around the world. Venues have included the Wigmore Hall and South Bank in London, as well as others in Europe, New York, South Africa, and Australia. Varied in their subject matter, with the stimulus often from contemporary events or favourite authors and poets, there are seven CDs of Michael’s music, available from his website www.michaelstimpson.co.uk