Presents
Arthur Foote
Melody for Violin & Piano, Op.44
Arthur Foote (1853-1937) was born in Salem, Massachusetts and was the first important American composer trained entirely in America. His main teacher was John Knowles Paine, from whom Foote gained an admiration for and was primarily influenced by the leading Central European Romantic composers of the day, such as Mendelssohn, Schumann, Dvorak and Brahms. After graduating, Foote became active in the musical life of Boston and made his living primarily by teaching the piano. He was fortunate in having friends and supporters who were able to arrange for his larger compositions to be performed by the Boston Symphony. Foote wrote approximately 200 works, most of these for voice. Roughly 75 have opus numbers. Though chamber music comprises only a small part of his output, these works are among his best.
His Melody for Violin and Piano was composed in 1899. As the title suggests, it is a straight forward song without words. The piano introduction combines New England Hymn tunes with a lighter, more romantic idiom. The lovely violin melody has just the tiniest hint of Schumann. It is mostly lyrical except for the dramatic middle section.
This appealing work has been out of print for a very long time and we are pleased to present it again. It can serve where a shorter recital piece is required or for an encore.
Parts $12.95
