QUESTION: Painters & Composers (Archived)

Most painters sign their pictures. I have a piece of music where the composer actually signs his name in the music, not just on the score. Do you know what it is? If you do know what it is, do you know of any other samples?  Rossini wrote many song settings of "Mi lagnero tacendo" for his friends as sort of calling cards or greeting cards. Rossini is not the man I'm thinking about. Hint, its a short song.

ANSWER:

The only sample I have of the composer “signing” his music is a little song by Puccini entitled “Sole e Amore” (Sun & Love) written March 1, 1888. The last line is “signed”- “Al Paganini, G. Puccini.” It is a dedication to the periodical entitled “Paganini” a “Periodico Artistico-Musicale” in which the song was first published... Originally the last line of this song was “il primo di marzo dell’ottanotto” or March 1, 1888.

In answer to the original question Scott came up with Shostakovich, specifically the 8th string quartet where the composer’s monogram, DSCH, is represented by the musical motto D Eflat C Bnatural (the second and fourth from German musical notation). Shostakovich also uses this monogram in several other works.

There will be a prize for those who answer correctly.