Sitt - Romanesca Op. 13 No. 1 for Violin and Piano, Arranged by Wolfgang Birtel, Published by Schott Music, 12 Pages

Any violinist who hears the name Sitt nowadays will probably just think of the author of studies and exercises that have long been a familiar feature in instrumental lessons. Of course the Prague violinist music teacher and composer Hans Sitt (1850–1922) made a significant impact on methods of violin teaching but he also wrote a whole series of other works worth listening to: concertos for violin viola and cello and chamber music for various combinations of instruments. Sitt studied the violin in Prague and was then appointed first as leader of the orchestra and then as musical director in Breslau (now called Wroclaw). After posts as director of music in Prague Chemnitz – where he championed the work of Smetana – and Nice he was eventually appointed professor of violin orchestral playing and score reading at the Leipzig Conservatoire from 1884–1921. Besides this he also played viola in the Brodsky Quartet organised concerts and was conductor of the Bach Society. The composers Franco Alfano - who completed Puccini's unfinished opera Turandot– and Frederick Delius studied with Sitt as did the conductor Vaclav Talich. Three Album Leaves op. 13 were also composed during his time in Leipzig published by Bosworth & Co in 1894. Romanesca No. 1 in that collection is a pretty slightly melancholy piece of music with romantic appeal that draws out lyrical and expressive playing and is thus eminently suitable for tuition purposes and concert performances. Romanesca Op. 13 No. 1 Composer: Hans Sitt Arranger: Wolfgang Birtel Publisher: Schott Music Instrument: Violin Pages: 12