Musical Style
Giannini is linked to the Romantic tradition, particularly considering that most of his American musical contemporaries were exploring the realms of neoclassicism and twelve-tone composition. His main influences were the composers of the late Romantic period, particularly the romanticism of Puccini and the chromaticism of Richard Wagner; as Giannini's style developed it grew in darkness, intensity, and tonal adventurousness, exploring dissonance without succumbing to modernism. In general Giannini's works were well-received; the modernists, however, held his music in little regard.
Giannini's works, particularly the later vocal works, are regarded as prime examples of the American neoromantic style; others of the American neoromantic school include Samuel Barber and Howard Hanson.
Read more about this topic: Vittorio Giannini
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