tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post5120096397276365142..comments2023-09-30T09:20:39.144-07:00Comments on Re-Composing: The Illusory Trail of Dante FiorilloPeter Nelson-Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11042073634867935017noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-69010532958764300392021-09-16T19:01:44.030-07:002021-09-16T19:01:44.030-07:00My grandfather's family did indeed own land an...My grandfather's family did indeed own land and build a house in Prattsville NY. It stayed in the family until my great uncle Joaquin's death 19 years ago. The article about growing up in the slums was overblown at the very least. I have some of his scores. If you'd like to reach out about his later years with Ina, I would love to hear more. Andrea Fiorillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13065722719431452167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-1487578623388301972021-09-16T18:36:38.685-07:002021-09-16T18:36:38.685-07:00That was my grandmother Mary Kelly Fiorillo, nice ...That was my grandmother Mary Kelly Fiorillo, nice to see her named. <br />Andrea Fiorillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13065722719431452167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-77402228004225232892021-09-16T15:49:16.109-07:002021-09-16T15:49:16.109-07:00Did you know Dana, Dantes son?
Reply to pete@pete...Did you know Dana, Dantes son?<br /><br />Reply to pete@peteandcompany.comKat & Petehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13115228293139376763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-59946632998211095312019-11-07T10:23:44.383-08:002019-11-07T10:23:44.383-08:00I have a copy of a letter from his wife (Mary) not...I have a copy of a letter from his wife (Mary) notifying a fan that Dante's *quintet in F Minor* will be performed on <br />July 2, 1938 at noon on NBC New York station WFAI or WEAI, (I can't quite decipher the 2nd letter in the radio station's call sign). The note is written on Guggenheim Foundation stationary. calvinsaxton09@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04775786179795010769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-21174467058316987982018-04-22T21:04:49.253-07:002018-04-22T21:04:49.253-07:00• When I first heard of the plagiarism allegations...• When I first heard of the plagiarism allegations, I assumed they began after the awards. It is surprising to find that the supposed incident was well before the awards. When exactly did these allegations begin and from whom? Dante had many left-leaning political views which were seriously "unAmerican" for the times. He was referred to as "The American Mozart" and had several traits in common. Early development. The ability to memorize and compose complex works in his head. The lack of ability to handle money or navigate politics.<br /><br />• The way I hear some allegations, they might at worst be explained as subconscious accidents due to Dante's method of composing in his head. That described here seems quite different. Nonetheless have you ruled out the possibility that Dantte was the victim of some kind of scam or misunderstandiing? According to Ina, Dante was involved in trading manuscripts.<br /><br />• Dante is said to have earned money during the depression by giving classical orchestrations to popular works. He often used this money to help others who were even less fortunate. He also worked as a music teacher for poor children in the depressioni era WPA program. This was confirmed by a fellow participant who posted an internet message about ten years ago, "Whatever happend to Dante Fiorillo?"<br /><br />I may post other questions and points later if anyone expresses interest. Thank you for an inspiring and interesting article.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04421397360425469770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-44661756940946732462018-04-22T20:44:36.118-07:002018-04-22T20:44:36.118-07:00I was a friend of Dante Fiorillo from about 1975 u...I was a friend of Dante Fiorillo from about 1975 until his death in 1995. The following statements are also approved by Ina Beck, a companion from 1968 to 1995. I am writing from Ina's kitchen. Ina also maintained a friendship with some of Dante's circle, from whom Ina learned most of what she knows about Dante's early life.<br /><br />I like Mr. Nelson-King's thoughtful and expressive attitude and writing style. Ina also thanks him for explaining some things she did not know. We also all seem to agree that much about Dante Fiorillo is both unclear and may never be proven. Nonetheless, someday someone might want to do research which probably could prove or disprove some of the most serious allegations. Also, there are a few instances where Mr. Nelson-King seems to have made unwarranted assumptions.<br /><br />I do not have time to say everything I would like. So I will just try to list the main topics. If anyone has or wants more details or discussion, reply here or seek out my Facebook page.<br /><br />• Ina has many photos and music manuscripts of Dante Fiorillo. She is very knowledgeable and believes that Dante's music includes possibly great works which should be published before they are counted among the lost. Anyone with a serious interest is welcome to examine these documents.<br /><br />• They became impoverished during the depression, but Dante's family was not initially poor. His father was a professor at the University of Bologna. And--contrary to Mr. Nelso-King's assumption--it is quite a stretch to assume that any quaint news article was approved by Dante. Dante told me that his father bought an old farm as a vacation home. Dante said that a reporter therefore said that he grew up on a farm and got his ideas while pushing a plow. Dante's father was furious and wanted to initiate a lawsuit. Dante said that he did not want the fuss but later regretted not making a fuss.<br /><br />• In the 1970's, Dante was listed in encyclopedias as "a prolific Italian-American composer." Then about 10 years ago, a search revealed him offhandedly referred to as "a plagiarist." It is difficult to understand how a known and prolific composer's works could all be presumed plagiarized and worthless. Especially after receiving both a Pulitzer and four Guggenheims. <br /><br />(Continued next message.)<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04421397360425469770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-66805137183232997092017-06-07T07:54:06.964-07:002017-06-07T07:54:06.964-07:00hey momhey momDante Fiorillo IIIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17027920294643382328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-66796660175965800682014-12-05T12:02:52.731-08:002014-12-05T12:02:52.731-08:00Mr Nelson-King,
I am Dante Fiorillo's granddau...Mr Nelson-King,<br />I am Dante Fiorillo's granddaughter. He was as enigmatic in his family as his art. He did die in 1995 in Vermont. I would be willing to share some of what I know of him and understand that there is a professor in Florida researching him as well, <br />I can be reached at fiorillo42@gmail.comAndrea Fiorillohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13065722719431452167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-48671032842364128842014-10-10T14:48:35.363-07:002014-10-10T14:48:35.363-07:00in the SSDI (Social Security Death Index) Dante Fi...in the SSDI (Social Security Death Index) Dante Fiorillo is listed as having died in October 1995. I looked for him for years, corresponding with several people who claimed to have seen him as late as 1986 in New York City. I would like to know if Paul Rapoport has an obituary for Vermont. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13620126043533440537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-17535716318801720272014-08-18T15:20:35.987-07:002014-08-18T15:20:35.987-07:00Hello Peter,
My name is Michael Fiorillo, and I a...Hello Peter,<br /><br />My name is Michael Fiorillo, and I am the nephew of Dante Fiorillo.<br /><br />I'd like to thank you for your ample research, most of which I was unaware of.<br /><br />As your post amply suggests, my uncle was quite a piece of work, and I many amazing/amusing/shocking, if mostly uncorroborated, stories about him. The plagiarism charges were known, but you delved in to greater detail than I was aware of.<br /><br />If you'd be interested in further correspondence/discussion about Dante, email me at ginseng4@earthlink.net.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01349055478660640716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-88279591541109159712014-05-14T18:06:45.221-07:002014-05-14T18:06:45.221-07:00Thanks for the info and kind words. I recently wo...Thanks for the info and kind words. I recently won an autographed photo of Fiorillo along with a newspaper clipping on eBay (see the first comment above), so I'll be adding that to the blog. I'd go to the Fleisher Library myself if I lived on the East Coast.Peter Nelson-Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11042073634867935017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-20232493185110828702014-05-14T08:37:07.077-07:002014-05-14T08:37:07.077-07:00He probably died on October 21, 1995 in Brattlebor...He probably died on October 21, 1995 in Brattleboro VT. He had lived in the Bronx. Alas, I probably could have found him.<br /><br />There may be a son born in 1938.Paul Rapoporthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14109088563565300771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-70316472950514023432014-05-14T08:19:59.695-07:002014-05-14T08:19:59.695-07:00Very fascinating article. About 45 years ago I cam...Very fascinating article. About 45 years ago I came across Signore Fiorillo (not literally, just references to him) and chased down everything I could find, including scores in the Fleisher Library in Philadelphia. I read through them quickly and didn't conclude anything about their genuineness. I wrote to everyone I knew of who knew Fiorillo and didn't get a single reply.<br /><br />Walter Hartley was a teacher of mine 52 years ago. In 2005, he told me more or less what he told you plus a little more. I had given up looking for information about Fiorillo long before the Internet came along.<br /><br />You may be interested in my site, www.quartetweb.org. There are a few stories there, although behind the scenes, mostly.Paul Rapoporthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14109088563565300771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-20386240712813620222014-02-19T03:50:52.978-08:002014-02-19T03:50:52.978-08:00Thanks for the link and the kind words! I bid on ...Thanks for the link and the kind words! I bid on it, and soon may be the only musicologist with a photograph of Dante Fiorillo. His story only grows more fascinating with each clue. Thanks for the support!<br /><br />~PNKPeter Nelson-Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11042073634867935017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62539954828493240.post-73762642224604086212014-02-19T01:57:04.357-08:002014-02-19T01:57:04.357-08:00Dear Mr. Nelson-King,
Looking through photos on eB...Dear Mr. Nelson-King,<br />Looking through photos on eBay, I found one of Dante Fiorillo, along with a newspaper clipping about his Pulitzer. I'd never heard of him, and was curious about his bio, which led me to your fascinating article. You can find the eBay listing here:<br />http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-photo-RPPC-Autographed-Pulitzer-Prize-winner-Composer-Dante-Fiorillo-/231157418871?pt=Art_Photo_Images&hash=item35d20e4b77<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />- Ryder Windham<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11971519020909546322noreply@blogger.com