Presents
Leone Sinigaglia
Serenade for String Trio in D Major, Op.33
For Violin, Viola & Cello
Leone Sinigaglia (1868-1944) was born in Turin, the capital of the Italian province of Piedmont. After studying at the local conservatory, he went to Vienna where he met Brahms, Goldmark and Mahler, all of whom he befriended. But it was Dvorak with whom he became a close friend, the latter giving him private lessons in orchestration in Prague. Dvorak was also instrumental in interesting Sinigaglia in the use of folk melody. Sinigaglia eventually returned to Turin where he lived the rest of his life teaching and composing. He collected and arranged over 500 Piedmontese folksongs. Chamber music is an important part of his output.
The Serenade for String Trio dates from 1908 and is in four movements. It is written in a neo-classical style and for its time, really quite advanced. Here is what Wilhelm Altmann, perhaps the most influential chamber music critic of the 20th century writes of the Serenade:
“In 1908, Sinigaglia composed a very attractive trio which is to be highly recommended. It is full of original ideas and invention and is extraordinarily well-written for the three instruments. This is a highly finished work from first note to last. The first movement, Allegro moderato, is written in a clear and charming style, the second theme is especially beautiful. The second movement, Intermezzo, allegretto vivace, is both humorous and uncommonly well-done. The next movement, Egloga, andante mosso, serves as the slow movement but also has in the middle a scherzo section. The exciting and very effective finale, Capriccio, Allegro vivace, ma non troppo, requires fleet and clean execution. Perfect for the concert hall, but very manageable by good amateur players."
We believe this is a masterwork for string trio. Out of print for more than 80 years, we are pleased to introduce it once again and highly recommend it to both professionals and amateurs.
Parts: $19.95
