“ … and Leah said “How fortunate!”
And she named him Gad ”
(Genesis 30-11)
“ … and Leah said “How fortunate!” And she named him Gad ”
(Genesis 30-11)
This name was chosen by my parents as a sign of good fortune between my first name, Federico, and my last name, Crema As a heterogenesis of ends, in the Anglo-Saxon musical notation, the acronym of my name (FGC) corresponds to specific musical notes (F-G-C) and, even more surprisingly, to a perfect cadence (IV-V-I). This meaningful coincidence inspired the South African composer David Earl to create his Piano Concerto No. 3, where, especially in its third movement (in the form of a Theme and Variations), the theme develops on the very notes FGC. I’m very grateful to David for this incredible composition which he dedicated to me, mailing me the score as a wonderful surprise on the day of my 21st birthday.
Piano Concerto No. 3, dedicated to Federico Gad Crema – by David Earl
“In late October 2019 I arrived in Albuquerque, New Mexico, having been invited to award a prize for the best performance of the work I had written for the Triennial Olga Kern International Piano Competition.
Little did I know that nine days later I would be on my way home with another composition to think about… a new piano concerto to Federico Gad Crema, winner of the aforementioned prize.
Federico’s initials – FGC – inform the structure of the Concerto. F minor/major is the key of the opening movement; the middle movement’s Scherzo is in G major; and the finale’s set of Variations is in C. The theme of the latter uses the notes Fa, Sol, Do – and intimations of this motif can be discerned right from the start of the piece, hiding en route as it were. Simultaneously, at the outset of the work, there is another ‘motto’ – using the notes Re, Mi and Fa, Do – which is the springboard for the first movement’s principal subject, a restless minor-key narrative which reappears again just before the Concerto’s final coda.”
David Earl, composer
From a graphic design point of view, the arrangement of the notes FGC on the keyboard of the piano provided the inspiration to the designer to conceive an image oriented to visually represent my personal identity subsumed into the musical world. An essential pictogram sprang to life, composed of two black keys and a blue one, as an homage to my favorite colors.
Live concerts are a unique sensory experience that transports us into another dimension, a show that must satisfy the hearing as well as the sight. That is the reason why it is important to take special care of the appearance an artist presents, while being consistent and coherent with the music one performs, fully respecting its artistic value.
Artistic quality and depth, as well as attention to every single detail of the music I play, are characteristics that can also be noticed in the clothes I wear and offer to the public – a fresh, young and exciting vision, but at the same time classy and highly crafted.
There are endless possibilities to make a suit unique, from a particular design to an eye-catching fabric, bold patterns and combinations… the key words are “elegance, respect, freedom.”
In general, I tend to prefer a more introspective and profound repertoire, as opposed to the classic show-off, not being afraid of artistic choices that also go against the trend, as I strongly believe in the authenticity and uniqueness of each artist.
Therefore, in my opinion, it is essential to prefer the true quality of a product over the mere fame of a brand, starting from the choice of excellent fabrics, to enhance our individuality and our qualities to the fullest. This is why I am particularly proud to wear unique haute couture creations, exclusively made in Italy – fabrics by “F.lli Tallia di Delfino.”
“In my beginning is my end” – Good Luck!
(T.S. Eliot)