Ildebrando Pizzetti (1880-1968) was born in the Italian city of Parma. He studied at the Parma Conservatory and was taught by Giovanni Tebaldi, who inspired his interest in the early music of Italy, the influence of which can often be found in his own music. He taught and served as director at several conservatories, including those in Florence, Milan, and Rome. Among his many students was Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco.
The String Quartet No.1 in A major is one of his earliest works, dating from 1906. It was not, however, published until 1920. The quartet was dedicated to his daughter Maria, who was born while he was composing the quartet. The third movement is a set of variations, one of which is entitled Ninna nanna per la mia piccina (Lullaby for my baby girl). In the first movement, Vivace ma sereno, one hears echoes of the Gregorian Chant. The music is characterized by a sense of motion and restlessness created by the continuous use of arpeggios and a dialogue between the viola and cello, later the violins. The second movement, Adagio, has for its main theme a tune which sounds rather like a 19th-century American church hymn. There is a simple charm to the music. The opening to the third movement, Tema con variazione, begins in canonic form, sounding rather like the gurgling of a stream. A series of contrasting and interesting variations follows. The first few bars of the finale start off like movie music for an American Western. There is a strong sense of movement across a broad panorama.
This is an important example of Italian chamber music from the first part of the 20th century. A strong contender for insertion into the concert hall and a work that can also be recommended to experienced amateur players.
