American composer Elliott Schwartz, born and raised in Brooklyn, discusses the various ways in which the legacy of Italian music has shaped his stylistic development. He also recounts the circumstances which led to his 1980 resident fellowship at the Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio, and the creation of his string quartet "Bellagio Variations." Schwartz's essay includes a brief non-technical analysis of the quartet, and links to a recorded performance.
