For some reason,
artists can become “much collected” artists. Remarkable life story, scarcity of
records made, a record company more interested in fast bucks rather than taking
care of their legacy (hello EMI :-) and voilà, people are willing to pay a
small fortune for an original recording of that artist. Especially if it’s
someone with a distinctive own voice and performance style.
“All of the above"
cumulate in the Italian violinist Gioconda de Vito.
De Vito, born in
1907, started playing music on the mandolin, but quickly transferred to the
violin.
Although she was
almost kicked out for being unable to carry a tune in singing (!), she studied
at the Pesaro conservatory and the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome.
In 1932 she won
the International Violin Competition in Vienna, but did not ambition a big
international career. Instead, she became a teacher at the St. Cecilia
Conservatory of Bari.
When she finally
decided to record some of her repertoire (something she would
be reluctant her
whole career, rare-vinyl record dealers bless her for ever about this...!)
she went to London
and.... fell in love with David Bicknell, director of HMV division of EMI
Records.
They married in
1949 and Gioconda de Vito thus acquired British citizenship.
In 1961, she
decided it was enough, and devoted her life to housekeeping.
As a true
Catholic, she found this role far more suited for her then her occupation on
the violin. Even a
a plea from the Pope (!), for which she had regularly performed,
could not help.
Gioconda de Vito died in 1994. Her unique, personal voice shines
through the noise
of the 78RPM, which I have put on youtube. Glimpse of the record (and actual
transfer of the record) are visible too in this video. Hope you will enjoy it!!
Gioconda de Vito (22nd
Jun. 1907 ~ 14th Oct. 1994)
Beethoven:
Romance for violin &
orchestra No.2 in F major, op.50
29th May 1948, Abbey Road
Studios, London
Philharmonia Orchestra
conducted by Alberto Erede.
