Calace, Raffaele

Raffaele Calace
Raffaele Calace (1863-1934) is one of the most important personalities in the history of the mandolin. His life fell in a period when the instrument was at the peak of its popularity, spreading all over the world and in all classes of society, a golden age of mandolin builders when composers published loads of music for it and virtuoso players were present on stage and record. Raffaele Calace was among the very best in all fields. The most notable member of a dynasty of Neapolitan luthiers, still in business after about 200 years, he designed and signed mandolin instruments among the most sought after of their kind. His virtuosity as a performer can be heard and admired on recordings from the 1920-ties, and his romantic, melodious and expressive music is still loved by amateurs and soloists alike.
Varying from solos, duos, trios, quartets to larger ensembles, his pieces are most commonly published for one or two mandolins and piano, often with an
alternative quartet or orchestra version.