O Sole Mio

When I began my organ playing of the day, I had NO intention of playing "O sole mio" or ANYTHING like it! I was "looking for something else" in my "L drawer" and well, somehow, I wound up with this...

Eduardo Di Capua (March 12, 1865 – October 3, 1917) was an Neapolitan composer, singer and songwriter. He was born in Naples in 1865. Together with the poet Giovanni Capurro, di Capua wrote the song "'O Sole mio" in 1898, which has since been recorded by many singers, both classical and popular.

I always thought this was some "very romantic" love song. While it is a love song, it's appeal is in the far more simple aspect of the joy of sunshine!

I also had no real "exposure" to this musically. The only "performance" I can recall is the one by Bugs Bunny, unless you want to count Elvis Presley's "It's now or never!"

I gave a quick listen on youtube and discovered that this goes a lot quicker and if far less "sentimental" than I would have suspected. So, using the wonderful orchestral colors of the Salisbury Willis, particularly the Solo Orchestral Oboe and the rich strings, this is what I came up with.

The expert transcription was done be Edwin Henry Lemare (9 September 1865 – 24 September 1934) was an English organist and composer who lived the latter part of his life in the United States. He was the most highly regarded and highly paid organist of his generation, as well as the greatest performer and one of the most important composers of the late Romantic English-American Organ School.

For those who may be interested, I've given an English translation for the entire song in the First Comment.

I dedicate this upload to my 7 "Italian Subscribers," wishing them a sunny listening experience.

The score (with a few marks I made today) is attached below, as well as a photo of Eduardo di Capua, as well as the cover of the first edition of "O sole mio," and several photos of Lemare, ranging from the age of 12, through his prime, and as an older man.

Ciao!