Obscure Music Monday: Caimmi's Souvenir d'Amour
Italo Caimmi (July 26, 1871 - May 21, 1964) was an Italian double bassist and pedagogue. Thought not a great deal is known about Caimmi, we do know that he studied at The Conservatory of Pesaro, with the great double bass pedagogue Isaiah Bille. He was also an accomplished pianist, and was moderately successful as a soloist in both instruments, playing in several countries. As an orchestral musician, he played at La Scala, and taught in conservatories. He wrote a method book that was important in the Italian school of double bass playing.
Souvenir d'Armour was written around 1900, and dedicated to another double bassist, Friederich Warnecke. A shorter work at around fine minutes, it has long lyrical lines, and much of it is in the upper register for the double bass, including up in to the upper harmonics. For the musician, it's a great piece for playing and working on legato melodic lines , and is pleasing to the ear for everyone!
Sadly, we couldn't find a recording of this work, but hope that changes in th future!