Contents
GODSPEED!
A PERSONAL MESSAGE to LISTENERS from the Libretto of STORMWORKS... Chapter THREE CD "While conducting Steve's Music, I often get the feeling that I am a part of something important, something really meaningful... timeless. His Music is an ode to Love and peace, a prayer to the Divine in all of us. May this document contribute to this purpose." Maurice Hamers, Conductor Music from the CD was premiered in Amsterdam's Concertgebouw on 21 April 1999. Many CD's were sold. All proceeds from the concert and STORMWORKS... Chapter 3 CD sales went to the Red Cross in support of the Refugees from Kosovo.
Testimonials"Dear Mr Melillo, Thanks for your great, lyric, powerful musical eloquence ... it's quite elysian! You've owned with your works a new musical dimension ... a light never seen before! Thanks and best regards from Germany, Osnarück!" Jens Schröer In an article called BAND FROM NETHERLANDS WAS INDESCRIBABLE, Marvin Sosna writes, "Normally adequate words that normally adequately describe such an event simply fail; thunderous, triumphant, supreme, overwhelming -- words even like those inherent superlatives still fade from the task of telling what happened. It was music, and more. Conductor-Music Director Maurice Hamers and his 60 instrumentalists created sounds that filled the hall itself and then filled everyone in the capacity audience in Harmon Hall, reaching every anatomical, sensory and spiritual component of the human experience. Take a deep breath. Now: Listen to the creation of the world as seen by Stephen Melillo, a composer who confesses his personal God-link in such works as GODSPEED and SPEECH OF ANGELS, each of which opened the two sections of the program. It was like this: a shattering of the former silence, and then an opening, an awakening of the spirit (in GODSPEED) after which a choir of sounds never heard before (SPEECH OF ANGELS) brings a message of comfort and hope. Melillo is to wind music what Beethoven was to the symphony orchestra, and he follows a Beethovenesque design of increasing the musical tension almost to the breaking point, receding, and then reaching again. It is superlative musical craftsmanship and inspiring to hear." Marvin Sosna, Special to The Tribune. "I heard your CD. WOW! You are truly gifted. All great composers must also be great orchestrators. You make the wind and percussion medium sound the absolute best! The orchestration in your music reminds me of the "next" Ravel. Genius! " Scott Nelson, Shenendoah University "I have been listening non-stop to the CDs you had sent to me. Your music is nothing short of spellbinding; magical stories full of LIFE ENERGY that take me mentally to places I never knew existed. Thank you, my good friend, for giving me an entirely new perspective of the world." Peter Giles, Giles Communications "Dear Steve, Last Monday evening, June 7, I conducted a concert in St. Petersburg, Russia, with the Russian Admiralty Orchestra, a professional good military symphonic band. For this special occasion the orchestra was completed with many musicians from the top-Russian symphonic orchestras from St. Petersburg. The concert took place at the `Philharmonie' the famous Russian concert hall where Strawinsky, Shostakovitch, Rimsky Korsakov and even Richard Wagner performed their premieres and other concerts. History can add one name to that list after last monday: STEPHEN MELILLO! With unbelievable success I conducted your Speech of Angels and David (with a 15 year old girl soprano, named Julia,who was absolutely super). They picked the title for the concert themselves WAIT of the WORLD (I sent them your CD!). Now listen to this: The word `World' in the old Russian language (Mir) is synonymous for "Peace". So there it was on the huge billboards: WAIT OF PEACE. Congratulations my friend!" Maurice Hamers, Conductor, Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy. "Steve, I'd like to give you a great compliment for your WAIT OF THE WORLD CD. As a member of the MBRNN (flute), you've no idea what's all behind you, while playing. I am impressed by the sound of our orchestra. I've never heard it before like this till this recording (is this a military band??). Our musicians have the same feeling: they are proud they recorded this statue of New-generation-music. I hope you are a little satisfied with this product. I am sure your music will be discovered!" Kindly regards with respect, Nathan Hol, Flute MBRNN "WOW!!! I am just so impressed and emotionally drained! Every moment of each work seems so inspired and yet the entire CD moves to the climax WAIT of the WORLD. You know that this is your best! Anyone who has experienced your music can feel hear and touch the additional inspiration of Melillo and this band and conductor. Congratulations and thank you! This CD should be a Grammy winner! I don't know how many you produced but it won't be enough!!! Just BRAVO!!!!! This is MUSIC... and it has touched the depths of my soul. I am not sure I could actually handle this live. It would overcome me for sure. Your music once again has lifted me and made me look up and realize the strength we receive from the light above." Al Sergel III "What a joy ! Today I received Chapter III, your new CD. I immediately listened to the recording in its entirety. Steve, this is a moment where words will never suffice You are a "Gift" Your music IS "THE SPEECH of ANGELS!" Your message and soul are elevated so beautifully through the soaring lyrical lines and glorious harmonic moments! I sense and feel your presence moving through every measure and then exploding rhythmically punctuating your persistence, determination and a deliberate belief for the good that lies beyond! To experience this "vision of truth and integrity " is only possible through your compositions. You have given a very special "Gift" to so many student musicians and directors. Again, my thanks to you for the "special musical life" you have shared with me through your compositions and friendship. Dorie is "speechless" every time she listens to your music... she can't understand how all of this glorious expression continues with such a massive, intense, deep, powerful emotional "giving"...Godspeed!" Edward S. Lisk "Dear Steve, Yesterday, I was on public radio co-hosting a classical music show and promoting the WASBE conference. We began the show with "The Speech of Angels". Phone calls lit up the board. People loved it. Maurice Hamers was in town last week and gave me a copy of his WAIT of the WORLD CD. Wow! What great music, what a great performance. He was interviewed by the "New Times" and told about playing your music in Russia. He said that people were crying. His point was that music from the heart is international, it touches everyone. American composer, Dutch performers, Russian listeners. That's what WASBE is all about, and I am so glad that you will be here." Bill Johnson, California Polytechnic State University. "Steve; Just picked up a copy of Chapter III from Al Sergel at the Northwest Music Camp. I sat down and listened straight through then started listening again and again. I just can't get enough of the music. What a musical and technical marvel. The dexterity and conviction of the ensemble is mind-boggling, what a thrill to listen to them play. I can't imagine the experience of listening to their performance "live". Your music, as always, is spell binding and empowering. You have a gift for giving the deepest human emotions a voice. Thanks. The rendering of David is absolutely breathtaking. Thank you for your willingness to share such personal convictions with us. Sincerely," Jay Jones "Stevo: Your music is all I would ever want. Love Dad." Bruce Melillo (Steve's Father) "WOW = WOW... Tears and Learning..." Nick Melillo (Steve's Brother) "WOW!!! For the past three days, I have been listening to STORMWORKS, Chapter III every chance I get. OH MY GOD!!! ... it is incredible!!! I am certain, it is the finest band I have ever heard!!! and the MUSIC... it is absolutely wonderful... so uplifting... so inspiring... so full of emotion... so much integrity... so much character! I cry... I shout... I laugh... I dream... I am blessed! You're music inspires me and gives me strength to BE the best I can be! THANK YOU for the MUSIC and for being YOU! WOW!!!!!!!!" Doug & Amy Fletcher "Hello Steve, The WAIT of the WORLD CD is incredible! I've been listening to the soundtrack from Star Wars "The Phantom Menace", and I like your music and recording better. It's the David and Goliath theory. It truly is Groundbreaking, Exciting, Creative, and Moving. The musicians are very gifted. My students want copies and are really into the album. You are on the verge of something big." Jim Iafrati, Vancouver, Washington, Consultant on Mr. Holland's Opus "Dear Mr. Melillo, I want to congratulate you with this music. This is really a superb combination, your music played by this Band!! It is the most breathtaking, powerful and Godlike music I've ever heard!! I will never getting tired of it! It's magic! I hope there will be more to come... Thank You again," Jack N. Haasnoot, Buhrmann NV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. "The WAIT of the WORLD is no more. Stormworks Chapter III: majestic, powerful, rich, mysterious, mischievous -- replete with discovery, magnificence, brilliance, resolution. Thank you, from the world." Norm Cheever, Band Parent "Wow. That's all I can say at the moment. I just finished listening to Chapter 3... Wow. That Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands is incredible. Please pass along my congratulations to that organization and their fine conductor. Your music never ceases to amaze me." Tim Johnston "Spectacular, profound, rises from new depths and soars to new heights. You so completely understand how to use the symphony as a tool for your art its amazing. And the fact that you stuffed about four symphonies in one work is particularly amazing. Movement 1, 8 and 10 could each be their own symphonies! Movement 10 has one of the most sublime themes I've ever heard, like a hero rising from the misty depths of unconsciousness. And what was that opening on movement 5? That sound, like the sound of human thought from every mind on the planet at once! And the magical time piece beginnings on movement 9 and where you take it! Thanks for sharing it. I think it's the best work you've ever done." Phil Morton, Screenwriter for Steven Segal "Steve's music is on another level. After receiving WAIT of the WORLD, and listening to it time and time again (WOW!!!)... I am reminded of why I chose music education as my profession. The profound influence and impact of Steve and his music is the guiding force behind my passion. I am so anxious to have my students experience the sound and emotion that "IS" Steve Melillo. Thank you for all of your music and education." Brett Duchon, Stratford, Connecticut "Dear Sir; Recently I ordered the CD from you containing "Angels", "David", etc. Well . . . .I am glad it is a CD and NOT an old style LP, for I would have worn out an LP long ago!!!!!!!!! It is so wonderful! Can't stop playing it over and over! Thank you for giving us those compositions, and we so enjoy this CD of the Netherlands group with your Stormworks III selections. There is just something in those compositions that is gripping, electrifying, deep. I can't get the "Touchstone" out of my musical memory! Thanks again! Hope we can hear more groups in the Midwest perform your works. Sincerely," Rev. Jerry A. Hanson
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