Duration: 3 minutes

Description: Mattinata (“’Tis the Day”) was composed in 1904 by Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857–1919), the Italian composer best known for his verismo opera Pagliacci. Written originally for voice and piano and later orchestrated by the composer, the song holds a special place in recording history: it was commissioned by the Gramophone Company and premiered as one of the earliest pieces written specifically for the phonograph, recorded by the celebrated tenor Enrico Caruso in 1904 with Leoncavallo himself at the piano. The text presents a joyful morning serenade in which a lover urges his beloved to awaken and greet the beauty of the day, set to music of radiant lyricism and graceful Italianate charm. Thanks to Caruso’s famous recording, Mattinata quickly became one of the most widely known art songs of the early 20th century. Versions for solo Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Cornet/Trumpet, and Marimba/Xylophone are all available and use the same piano accompaniment, along with a version with band accompaniment (10160529).

• 10450117 / 36-10450117 MATTINATA (ASAX) SOLO/PNO $4.95Buy Now