Artistic
personality of the Venetian music world, Ugo Amendola was born in Venice on August
28, 1917.
Music soon became part of his
life; as he said, “I began to love music from early childhood, when I imitated
my father at the keyboard.”
At the age of 12
Amendola entered the B. Marcello Conservatory and immediately showed talent far
piano and composition; he obtained his diplomas in piano, composition, choral
music and choral and orchestral conducting with the highest honours. He began teaching
at the same conservatory in 1951; at first he taught theory and ear training,
then harmony, counterpoint and composition, later he became assistant director,
1971-73, and finally full director until 1985.
Over this entire
period, after graduating from the Conservatory, Amendola pursued a demanding
concert career as a pianist, as soloist and in duo with many soloists in Italy.
He was often asked to preside or take part in juries for competitions.
Amendola was,
however, fundamentally a composer, as can be seen from his wide cultural
background and stylistic originality, noteworthy not only in his piano works,
his own instrument, but also in works for two or more instruments and for
orchestra, works which have received prizes and recognition far and wide.
His theoretical
works list books on ear training and theory, on harmony and counterpoint,
fugue, choral composition and analysis of classical music.
Among his works:
seven sonatas for piano, award winners, string quartet, first prize at the
Milan competition, piano concerto, special mention at the Prince Pierre of
Monaco competition, Symphony far string orchestra, and Concerto far piano and
string orchestra, both performed far the first time in Sofia, Bulgaria, Fantasy
for ‘cello and piano. One of his last works is the Double Concerto far oboe and
bassoon, played in world premiere at the La Fenice Theatre, Venice, on May 2l,
1994.
His sudden death, February 20, 1 995, come at a period
of busy creation and left the eighth sonata, a ballet, a sonata for viola and
piano and didactic works unfinished.