Giuseppe Becce

The Italian composer Guiseppe Becce enjoyed something of a vogue in the 1920s and 1930s, more notably with his shorter songs, several of which were recorded by some of the leading singers of the day - including Beniamino Gigli - and popular pieces of the salon-type.

Amongst the most notable of these latter items is the famous Legende d'Amour, subtitled Serenade for Violin which is dedicated to Jean Schwiffe and Andre Spolianisky.

The work exists in several versions, for string quartet, for orchestra, for violin and orchestra and for violin and piano - in which last form, that in which it was first composed, we hear this passionate and technically demanding composition.

Giuseppe Becce on Guild Music

• GMCD 7125 Legende d'Amour Op. 11

Page revised 09.09.2000