Love Song (Italian Spring Melodies, Op. 7)

Today is the First Day of Spring! It arrives here in New Jersey in a few hours time, specifically at 5:37 AM. :-)

The American career of Giuseppe Ferrata (1865-1928) was a part of the legacy of the influential European émigré musicians who came to the United States in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Born in Gradoli, Italy, Ferrata studied piano with Giovanni Sgambati and Franz Liszt at the Royal Academy of St. Cecilia in Rome. He attained some renown as both a pianist and a composer in his native Italy before immigrating to the United States in 1892. He subsequently held teaching posts at various institutions in the eastern United States. In 1909, he became the first Professor of Piano and Composition at Newcomb College (now part of Tulane University) in New Orleans, where he remained until his death in 1928. Ferrata established his reputation in the United States by winning several composition prizes in his lifetime. He published many compositions including numerous piano works in both the virtuoso and salon traditions, over thirty songs, two masses, one string quartet, and three suites for organ.

The "Love Song" comes from the composer's suite for piano and violin solo, "Italian Spring Melodies". I can't say that it speaks of spring to me, but, Ferrata included it a spring suite, so, here it is!

This arrangement was done by the composer himself and is dedicated: "A mia madre" and the piece was published by J. Fischer & Bro. in 1905.

The violin-solo-style is very clear, and the piece has a pleasant ebb and flow, and I hope will usher in a happy season for all. :-)

The score is attached below as well as two photos of Giuseppe Ferrata.

I have a number of other scores by him, actual solo organ works, so, perhaps I'll do some of those at some point.

I wish everyone a Spring Season that is a peaceful, happy and healthy one!