Album Notes

"Sophisticated troubadours" The Princes of Serendip perform the song-poetry of T. G. Vanini, whose dense, unexpected imagery and haunting harmonies engage the listener in an intense exploration of a wide range of feelings in a world of enchantment and whimsy. Grounded in classical, folk, and Celtic music with a pinch of the Beatles thrown in for good measure, their songs are poetic, sophisticated, whimsical, worldly, childlike, socially conscious, powerfully emotional and downright silly. They remind some listeners of The Incredible String Band, others of Donovan or Roy Harper, but most agree they've never heard anyone quite like The Princes of Serendip.

"The Princes Of Serendip prove, both onstage and
on their recordings, that imagination, and a fearless
originality, go a long, long, way."
Mike Jurkovic, Rhythm & News, January 2003

"It's a flashing gypsy violin, it's a bit of Mozart, it's an ancient Irish refrain-the music of T.G. Vanini and his band, the Princes of Serendip, is as alluring as it is hard to describe. ...Vanini's songs have a strong emotional charge. His material ranges from love songs that have their roots in British folk music...to the mythical and surreal landscapes and imagery of dreams."
Baruch College News, February 6, 1998

"His song-poems limn the richness of both the mortal world and the deathless realm of enchantment, and that magical point at which they intersect....The melodies and harmonies are haunting; so, too, the prevailing sense of wistful, tender sadness at the fleeting nature of life and love."
Mikhail Horowitz, Ulster Publising Company's Alm@nac, July 1998


Dear T.G.
After listening to your second CD, I have to conclude that you are a musical genius. ...your songs are so individualistic and superb.... With your excellent pianist, Don Yacullo and the wonderful vocalist Julie Parisi Kirby, you have a genuine chamber ensemble. I truly believe your compositions are of a world class quality and should be known and played internationally.
I recall when you played at my classical chamber series... the performance was one of the highlights of the last fifteen years of the series. And our audience, used to classical music groups, absolutely loved your performance. You can fit beautifully in any setting aside from the acid rock, etc. type situation.
Please keep composing and performing. You owe it to the world.
Best regards
Howard Garrett
Founder and Artistic Director
Grand Montgomery Chamber Music Series.
Montgomery, NY