Having disbanded in 1970 after ten years of activity, the Beatles  not only marked an era, but, in a certain sense, surpassed it, having become a classic of pop-rock song, of which they were the founders and greatest exponents. After more than half a century, the songs of the Liverpool quartet, made up of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, continue to speak with surprising immediacy to different generations who appreciate and sing them. The programme of this concert, in which the songs are presented in original arrangements by Alberto Maniaci, Giuseppe Vasapolli and Giuseppe Ricotta ( Michelle ), is configured as a journey through some of their hits, the first of which is Can't Buy Me Love , released in 1964 during the period of so-called Beatlemania . The song possesses the immediate energy of early American rock 'n' roll , but already reveals the unmistakable melodic ability of McCartney, the main author of the piece together with Lennon. Behind the driving rhythm emerges a simple and universal message, according to which money can't buy love. " Here Comes the Sun" , written in 1969 by George Harrison, is notable for its delicate melody, refined harmonic interweaving and famous guitar arpeggio. According to an anecdote, Harrison drew inspiration from the sun illuminating the garden of Eric Clapton's villa, where he was playing some tapes for him. The lyrics are a celebration of hope and the return of serenity after a long winter. Composed mainly by Lennon and later reworked by McCartney, Ticket to Ride (1965) marks an important transition towards a more mature and introspective sound thanks to its heavy rhythm, almost anticipating hard rock, combined with a new melancholy, far from the carefree optimism of its early days. A great youthful energy characterises A Hard Day's Night (1964), famous from its opening chord, an eleventh without the third. Written for the 1964 film of the same name, the song captures the frenetic pace of the group's life during the years of their worldwide success. Written primarily by McCartney, who composed the melody in a dream while at his girlfriend Jane Asher's house in London, Yesterday (1965), more than 60 years later, still retains the charm of its music, consisting of a delicate encounter between pop and chamber music represented by the string quartet that accompanied McCartney's voice on the first recording. Come Together , one of the iconic pieces of the Abbey Road album, dates back to 1969.Written by the Lennon-McCartney duo, but composed primarily by Lennon, the piece is notable for its hypnotic bass, almost obsessive rhythm, and vocal writing that helps create an enigmatic and magnetic universe, suspended between rock, blues, and experimentation. The irresistible enthusiasm of his early days explodes in She Loves You (1963), perhaps the definitive manifesto of Beatlemania with its famous yeah yeah yeah that became a generational symbol. Released as the B-side of the single Ticket to Ride and composed by John Lennon, Yes It Is (1965) is a splendid ballad, famous for its complex and intense three-part vocal harmonies. Inspired, according to the story of Paul McCartney, who wrote it together with Lennon, by a dream in which his mother Mary appeared, Let It Be  (1970) is configured as a secular prayer, being an invitation to accept life's difficulties with trust and serenity. A Day in the Life (1967) combines a melancholic section by John Lennon with a lively motif by Paul McCartney. The song is famous for its avant-garde orchestral crescendo and the historic final piano chord. The intimate atmospheres of salon music distinguish Michelle , in which the influence of the French chanson is discernible. In this hit, composed mainly by McCartney and completed by Lennon, the contrast between English and French, between the soft melodic line and the sophisticated harmonic taste, testifies to the group's extraordinary openness towards different musical languages. The Long and Winding Road (1970), an intense ballad by McCartney, released shortly before the group's breakup, is simultaneously tragic and nostalgic in tone. The "long and winding road", evoked by the title, seems to become a metaphor for the Beatles' own human and artistic journey, now coming to an end. John Lennon's solo masterpiece, written after leaving the Beatles and co-written with Yoko Ono, Imagine (1971) is a universal pacifist anthem that invites us to dream of a world without barriers, wars, or religions, guided by the notes of a sweet piano. The concert concludes with Hey Jude (1968), the famous ballad written by Paul McCartney to comfort John Lennon's son Julian during his parents' divorce. With its rousing final chorus , "Na-na-na ," it was the band's most successful single.

Beatles, A Symphony Experience

Villa Piccolo - Fondazione Famiglia Piccolo Di Calanovella

Having disbanded in 1970 after ten years of activity, the Beatles  not only marked an era, but, in a certain sense, surpassed it, having become a classic of pop-rock song, of which they were the founders and greatest exponents. After more than half a century, the songs of the Liverpool quartet, made up of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, continue to speak with surprising immediacy to different generations who appreciate and sing them. The programme of this concert, in which the songs are presented in original arrangements by Alberto Maniaci, Giuseppe Vasapolli and Giuseppe Ricotta ( Michelle ), is configured as a journey through some of their hits, the first of which is Can't Buy Me Love , released in 1964 during the period of so-called Beatlemania . The song possesses the immediate energy of early American rock 'n' roll , but already reveals the unmistakable melodic ability of McCartney, the main author of the piece together with Lennon. Behind the driving rhythm emerges a simple and universal message, according to which money can't buy love. " Here Comes the Sun" , written in 1969 by George Harrison, is notable for its delicate melody, refined harmonic interweaving and famous guitar arpeggio. According to an anecdote, Harrison drew inspiration from the sun illuminating the garden of Eric Clapton's villa, where he was playing some tapes for him. The lyrics are a celebration of hope and the return of serenity after a long winter. Composed mainly by Lennon and later reworked by McCartney, Ticket to Ride (1965) marks an important transition towards a more mature and introspective sound thanks to its heavy rhythm, almost anticipating hard rock, combined with a new melancholy, far from the carefree optimism of its early days. A great youthful energy characterises A Hard Day's Night (1964), famous from its opening chord, an eleventh without the third. Written for the 1964 film of the same name, the song captures the frenetic pace of the group's life during the years of their worldwide success. Written primarily by McCartney, who composed the melody in a dream while at his girlfriend Jane Asher's house in London, Yesterday (1965), more than 60 years later, still retains the charm of its music, consisting of a delicate encounter between pop and chamber music represented by the string quartet that accompanied McCartney's voice on the first recording. Come Together , one of the iconic pieces of the Abbey Road album, dates back to 1969.. Firmato dal duo Lennon-McCartney, ma composto principalmente da Lennon, il pezzo si segnala per il basso ipnotico, il ritmo quasi ossessivo e una scrittura vocale che contribuisce a creare un universo enigmatico e magnetico, sospeso tra rock, blues e sperimentazione. L’irresistibile entusiasmo degli esordi esplode in She Loves You (1963), forse il manifesto definitivo della Beatlemania con il suo celebre yeah yeah yeah che divenne un simbolo generazionale. Pubblicata come lato B del singolo Ticket to Ride e composta da John Lennon, Yes It Is (1965) è una splendida ballata, celebre per le sue complesse e intense armonie vocali a tre voci. Ispirata, secondo il racconto di Paul McCartney che l’ha firmata insieme a Lennon, a un sogno in cui appariva sua madre Mary, Let It Be (1970) si configura come una preghiera laica, essendo un invito ad accettare le difficoltà della vita con fiducia e serenità. A Day in the Life (1967) unisce una malinconica sezione di John Lennon a un motivo vivace di Paul McCartney. Il brano è celebre per il suo crescendo orchestrale d'avanguardia e lo storico accordo finale del pianoforte. Le atmosfere intime della musica da salotto contraddistinguono Michelle, nella quale è ravvisabile l’influenza della chanson francese. In questo successo, composto principalmente da McCartney e completato da Lennon, il contrasto tra inglese e francese, tra la linea melodica morbida e il gusto armonico sofisticato testimonia la straordinaria apertura del gruppo verso linguaggi musicali differenti. Di tono tragico e nostalgico al tempo stesso è The Long and Winding Road (1970), intensa ballata di McCartney, pubblicata poco prima dello scioglimento del gruppo. Il “lungo e tortuoso cammino”, evocato dal titolo, sembra diventare metafora della stessa vicenda umana e artistica dei Beatles, giunta ormai al termine. Capolavoro solista di John Lennon scritto dopo l'addio ai Beatles e co-firmato con Yoko Ono, Imagine (1971) è un inno pacifista universale che invita a sognare un mondo senza barriere, guerre o religioni, guidato dalle note di un dolce pianoforte. Il concerto si conclude con Hey Jude (1968), la celebre ballata scritta da Paul McCartney per confortare Julian, il figlio di John Lennon, durante il divorzio dei genitori. Con il suo trascinante coro finale Na-na-na, è stato il singolo di maggior successo della band.

Giuseppe Milici

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Sep 19, 2026

Beatles, A Symphony Experience · Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana

Sep 18, 2026

Beatles, A Symphony Experience · Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana

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