Obscure Music Monday: Scontrino's Sogno d'amore
Antonio Scontrino (May 17, 1850 - Jan. 7, 1922) was an Italian double bassist, composer, and professor. He studied at the Palermo Conservatory from ages 11 to 20, and also studied in Munich. He began performing as a double bassist in 1891, and eight years later taught composition at the Palermo Conservatory. He also taught counterpoint at the conservatory in Florence.
Scontrino wrote several works for double bass and piano, including Sogno d'amore. He was clearly as interested in beautiful melodic lines as he was with a challenging part for the double bass, as this piece has both in abundance. After starting with the lyrical theme, the piece moves in to a more light-hearted section with some fast-moving work for the double bassist, before going back to more lyrical lines. Throughout this work, their are cadenza-like sections for the soloist, and Scontrino doesn't shy away from the lower register of the instrument either. The piano part, while not the most challenging, provides fantastic structure and foundation for this lovely piece.
Here's a recording of this work for you to enjoy: