Leonardo De Lorenzo (August 29, 1875 – July 29, 1962)

Leonardo De Lorenzo was an Italian virtuoso flutist, composer and music educator.

Early Life and Education

Born in Viggiano, Potenza, De Lorenzo began playing the flute at the age of 8 and later attended the Music Conservatory “San Pietro a Majella” in Naples. At 16, he moved to the United States and worked at a hotel in Cerulean, Kentucky. In 1896, he returned to Italy for military service in Alessandria, where he became a member of a military band directed by Giovanni Moranzoni.

Musical Career and Travels

De Lorenzo then embarked on his own career, touring Italy, Germany, England, and South Africa. At 25, he joined an orchestra in Cape Town. In 1907, he returned to Naples to complete his studies before moving to America again. He became the first flutist of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under Gustav Mahler and played with the New York Symphony Orchestra, substituting for Georges Barrère. He also performed with the orchestras of Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Rochester.

Personal Life and Recognition

In 1914, during his time with the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, he met pianist Maude Peterson, who frequently accompanied him and later became his wife. In 1917, the Los Angeles Flute Club honored him with a musical performance, appointing him their first Honorary Member.

Teaching and Compositional Work

From 1923 to 1935, De Lorenzo was a flute professor at the Eastman School of Music, where he taught Julius Baker, one of the greatest American flutists of his generation. After retiring, De Lorenzo focused on composition and theoretical publications. His works, such as “Saltarello” and “Pizzica-pizzica,” pay homage to the traditional music of his hometown. In 1951, he published “My Complete Story of the Flute,” a comprehensive book based on his extensive research, establishing him as one of the most eminent flute pedagogues of the 20th century.

Later Years and Legacy

De Lorenzo donated all his research materials to the University of Southern California on October 25, 1953. That same year, he received an honorary doctorate from the Washington International Academy of Rome and was named godfather of the newly formed flute club in Milan. On August 29, 1955, the Los Angeles Flute Club organized a concert featuring his compositions to celebrate his 80th birthday.

De Lorenzo passed away in his home in Santa Barbara, California.

Honors and Memorials

The International Flute Competition “Leonardo De Lorenzo,” held biennially in Viggiano from 1997 to 2013, was dedicated to him.

His flute compositions

Appassionato, for flute, op. 5
Giovialità, for flute and piano, op. 15
Serenata, for flute and piano, op. 16
2 Pieces for flute and piano, op.17
2 Pieces for flute and piano, op.18
2 Pieces for flute and piano, op.19
2 Pieces for flute and piano, op.20
2 Pieces for flute and piano, op.21
2 Pieces for flute and piano, op.22
2 Pieces for flute and piano, op.23
Saltarello, for flute, op. 27
Carnevale di Venezia, for flute
Nove grandi studi
I tre virtuosi, for three flutes, op. 31
I seguaci di Pan, for four flutes, op. 32
Non plus ultra, for flute, op. 34
Pizzica-Pizzica, for flute, op. 37
Suite mitologica, for flute, op. 38
Idillio, for flute and piano, op. 67
Improvviso, for flute and piano, op. 72
Sinfonietta (Divertimento Flautistico), for five flutes, op. 75
Trio Eccentrico, for flute, clarinet and bassoon, op. 76
Trio Romantico, for flute, oboe and clarinet, op. 78
I quattro virtuosi (Divertimento fantastico), for flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon, op. 80
Capriccio, for four flutes, op. 82