Gaetano Braga (1829 – 1907) was an Italian composer
and cellist. He was born in Giulianova in Abruzzi and
died in Milan. Braga's works include compositions for
the cello (two concertos, a quintet, a quartet, works
for cello and piano) and operas.
A "Serenata" (serenade) by Braga, sometimes called
"Angel's Serenade" or "Légende valaque" (Wallachian
Legend), is a dialogue (comparable to that in
"Erlkönig") between a worried mother and a girl who
hears an angel's voice calling her; in...(+)
Gaetano Braga (1829 – 1907) was an Italian composer
and cellist. He was born in Giulianova in Abruzzi and
died in Milan. Braga's works include compositions for
the cello (two concertos, a quintet, a quartet, works
for cello and piano) and operas.
A "Serenata" (serenade) by Braga, sometimes called
"Angel's Serenade" or "Légende valaque" (Wallachian
Legend), is a dialogue (comparable to that in
"Erlkönig") between a worried mother and a girl who
hears an angel's voice calling her; in the end the girl
follows the voice ("O mamma buona notte, io seguo il
suon, io seguo il suon!"). It is mentioned in Anton
Chekhov's short story "The Black Monk," as well as in
other Russian works of the late 19th and early 20th
centuries. As composed, the narrator sings the voice of
the mother and girl, while the angel's voice is
portrayed through the violin or cello. In the original
print, the string player was instructed to play from an
adjoining room from the pianist and singer, in order to
create the effect of a distant angelic voice. Braga's
"Angel's Serenade" has been recorded notably by tenor
John McCormack and violinist Fritz Kreisler (in
English), Jan Peerce and Mischa Elman (in English),
Christian Ketter and Cara Schlecker (in Italian),
Richard Tauber and Dajos Bela (in German).
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaetano_Braga).
Although originally composed for Cello & Piano, I
created this Interpretation of the "Berceuse
Napolitaine" for Oboe & Concert (Pedal) Harp.