descripção
In creating this transcription of Bottesini’s Romanza Patetica I have drawn from the Yorke Edition by Rodney Slatford and an edition in E minor titled Mélodie edited by Flechsig. The Yorke version bears Bottesini’s own title and is based on his autograph piano score (Parma 47538). I have chosen to use the title and editorial markings (slurs, dynamics etc.) shown in the Yorke edition. That said, however, I feel the phrasing indications printed are only a starting point and if followed to the letter, actually do the piece, which should unfold freely and with an improvisational feel, a disservice. All of Bottesini’s harmonic and melodic content remains intact and unaltered.
I believe this beautiful work by Bottesini takes on a more profound meaning expressed as chamber music in the string quintet setting. It benefits greatly being freed of the harness of the piano’s equal tempered tuning and by the warmth, humanness and interactivity of the other string players.
John Feeney 2015