Years ago I wondered what bond could unite two generations of composers separated by fifty years: half a century of history and music. I also wondered whether two composers belonging to such distant generations could collaborate.
The answer came naturally in 1997 when, after a concert in Paris, Luciano Berio and I began working together on two fundamental projects: composition and teaching. From then until a few weeks before his death, we organised concerts, conferences, seminars and projects together, devoted to music and a new pedagogy.
For this reason he was asked on several occasions whether I was his pupil. Berio would say no: we were friends. This is certainly true. In reality, discreetly and rigorously, he taught me a great deal, making that teaching an ideal bond between his generation and mine.
In writing, in music and in the courage required to pursue one’s projects, Berio was the Master who taught me always to dream and never to give up. A few weeks ago, the Master called me and explicitly invited me to carry forward what we had accomplished together up to that point. I have not yet understood what he was referring to…
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Jacopo Baboni Schilingi