Sounding Resilience: Valentina Grisafi’s “Donna” Honored for Extraordinary Creativity
- WOMCO
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
Valentina Grisafi's Composition "Donna" was awarded the Gold Prize and the Remarkable Creativity Special Prize in the Original Composition Category of the 2025 Season 2 Carl Reinecke International Music Competition.
Biography
Valentina Grisafi, pianist and composer.
She obtained her Academic Diplomas of Level I and II in Piano with top marks at the State Conservatory of Music ''A. Scarlatti'' in Palermo under the guidance of Enza Vernuccio, and the Diploma in Composition (v.o.) at the same Conservatory under the guidance of Marco Betta.
He performs concert activities for various organizations and associations in Italy and abroad, always receiving public and critical acclaim.
Alongside concert activities, she is involved in composition, having had performances by entities and associations in Italy and abroad, such as the Teatro Massimo Foundation of Palermo, the Politeama Garibaldi Theatre in Palermo, the Sicilian Symphony Orchestra Foundation, and the ''A. Scarlatti'' Conservatory of Palermo.
His compositions are published by Pizzicato Verlag Helvetia.
In 2021 and 2022, he received the prestigious recognition for classical-contemporary music at the Global Music Awards in Los Angeles (California, USA), receiving a bronze medal for his Sicilitudine, a piece for piano, and a bronze medal for his Notturno Soledad. In 2022, he received the title of best artist of the year in the contemporary classical genre from the Akademia Music Awards. In 2023, he received the prestigious recognition from the Ibla Grand Prize Competition as Most Distinguished Musician for Sicilitudine.
Recently, three of his pieces were recorded on the solo piano CD ''Da Lontano'' by pianist Ketty Teriaca, produced by the record label Modhì Music Company. His piece Sicilitudine was used as the soundtrack for the short film Tutt'a un tratto by Michele Difonzo and Francesco Cavallo, and it was recorded by pianist Cinzia Labarile. The same piece was recorded by pianist Emanuele Frenzilli and was published on the DiapaSound Classic channel.
Could you share the inspiration behind "Donna" and the message you hope to convey through it?
Donna is a piece for flute, clarinet, and piano written in the summer of 2024.
I was inspired by women who are victims of violence; the piece is in ABA form, starting with an introduction by the piano that presents a sweet melody in dialogue with the clarinet and the flute. The melody represents the woman in love, unable to see the toxicity of the relationship she is experiencing. Following the melody is a racing rhythm (part B) among the three instruments, almost chasing each other. The woman, awakened from the dream, tries to fight back. It ends with a reprise that reintroduces the initial part with the melancholic serenity.
The message I want to convey is to never stop dreaming despite life sometimes being greedy, to never give up, but above all, I hope to convey emotions.
Could you share more details about the piece featured in your award-winning video — such as where it was recorded, any artists you collaborated with, and whether there were any memorable moments during the preparation process?
The video of the piece was recorded live on November 24, 2024 during the concert for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women at the Teatro Tina di Lorenzo in Noto (Sicily, Italy) for the City of Noto Concerts Association in collaboration with the local women's associations.
A few months earlier, I received a phone call from Ivana Bordonaro, a pianist from the Trio Arabesque, who, as the trio's spokesperson, asked me to write a piece for their ensemble for a concert that would take place at the Teatro Tina di Lorenzo for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. I still remember that moment; I felt immense joy for the commission I received and, at the same time, a great responsibility for the uniqueness of the event.
I was immediately curious about the platforms to listen to the Trio, I hadn't had the chance to hear them before then, and I was immediately amazed by their potential, three amazing musicians. Excited, I started the work. It was beautiful to collaborate with them, sincere musicians. We had several video call conversations because they wanted to interpret my musical thoughts in the best way, and I must say they succeeded very well.
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank?
To be honest, I did not expect the Gold Award in the Original Composition category and the Special Award for Extraordinary Creativity; my experience at the Carl Reinecke International Competition was wonderful. I am honored and grateful for these recognitions. Today, like yesterday, it is difficult for a woman to establish herself in the music field, especially in Italy; these awards represent an incentive to move forward and continue to believe in and invest in myself. Thank you very much to the members of the jury of the Carl Reinecke International Music Competition.
