Alessandro Longo
Encyclopedia
Alessandro Longo was an Italian
composer
and musicologist
.
After studying at the Naples Conservatory
under Beniamino Cesi
(and composition under Paolo Serrao
), he began teaching piano
at his alma mater
in 1887, deputizing for Cesi as pianoforte professor, and succeeded him in 1897. As a pianist, Longo often played in chamber ensemble with the Ferni Quartet, and with the Quartetto Napoletano (with Cantani, Parmiciano, Scarano and Viterbini). He founded various musical institutions in Naples, and gained a high reputation as a concert pianist. In 1914 he began editing the review L'Arte Pianistica. He became Director of the Naples Conservatory in 1944.
Today, Longo is mainly remembered for compiling an almost comprehensive catalogue of the keyboard
works of Domenico Scarlatti
. For many years, Scarlatti's keyboard sonatas were conventionally identified by their Longo numbers, but these were later superseded by those found in Ralph Kirkpatrick
's catalogue. Longo's Catalogue originated in his landmark full publication of the works of Scarlatti in 11 Volumes and implied particular groupings of the sonatas, the chronology of which was later completely revised and differently grouped in Kirkpatrick's 1953 study of the composer. Longo also edited works by Domenico Gallo
.
His compositions include, among others, two works for piano four-hands, a serenade and a suite;; suites for piano with bassoon with oboe, with flute and with clarinet.
His son, Achille Longo (1900–1954), was also a composer.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and musicologist
Musicology
Musicology is the scholarly study of music. The word is used in narrow, broad and intermediate senses. In the narrow sense, musicology is confined to the music history of Western culture...
.
After studying at the Naples Conservatory
Music Conservatories of Naples
The Music Conservatory of Naples is a music institution in Naples, southern Italy. It is currently located in the complex of San Pietro a Majella.-San Pietro a Majella:...
under Beniamino Cesi
Beniamino Cesi
Beniamino Cesi was a celebrated Italian concert pianist and teaching professor of piano, who taught many of the most distinguished early 20th century pianists of the Neapolitan school, so that his influence spread very widely.- Training :Born in Naples, Cesi began his studies with his father, and...
(and composition under Paolo Serrao
Paolo Serrao
Paolo Serrao was a distinguished and influential Italian teacher of musical theory and composition at Naples....
), he began teaching piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
at his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
in 1887, deputizing for Cesi as pianoforte professor, and succeeded him in 1897. As a pianist, Longo often played in chamber ensemble with the Ferni Quartet, and with the Quartetto Napoletano (with Cantani, Parmiciano, Scarano and Viterbini). He founded various musical institutions in Naples, and gained a high reputation as a concert pianist. In 1914 he began editing the review L'Arte Pianistica. He became Director of the Naples Conservatory in 1944.
Today, Longo is mainly remembered for compiling an almost comprehensive catalogue of the keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
works of Domenico Scarlatti
Domenico Scarlatti
Giuseppe Domenico Scarlatti was an Italian composer who spent much of his life in the service of the Portuguese and Spanish royal families. He is classified as a Baroque composer chronologically, although his music was influential in the development of the Classical style...
. For many years, Scarlatti's keyboard sonatas were conventionally identified by their Longo numbers, but these were later superseded by those found in Ralph Kirkpatrick
Ralph Kirkpatrick
Ralph Kirkpatrick was an American musician, musicologist and harpsichordist. He is most famous for his chronological catalog of Domenico Scarlatti's keyboard sonatas.-Life and work:...
's catalogue. Longo's Catalogue originated in his landmark full publication of the works of Scarlatti in 11 Volumes and implied particular groupings of the sonatas, the chronology of which was later completely revised and differently grouped in Kirkpatrick's 1953 study of the composer. Longo also edited works by Domenico Gallo
Domenico Gallo
Domenico Gallo was an Italian composer and violinist.He was born in Venice in 1730. He composed church music, sonatas, and possibly violin concertos. Works of his were mistakenly attributed to Giovanni Pergolesi, including the sonatas upon which Igor Stravinsky's Pulcinella was based.-External...
.
His compositions include, among others, two works for piano four-hands, a serenade and a suite;; suites for piano with bassoon with oboe, with flute and with clarinet.
His son, Achille Longo (1900–1954), was also a composer.