Albert Chiaffarelli

Italian-born American musician and composer (1884-1945). Born on February 5, 1884 in Prata di Pordenone, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, Chiaffarelli immigrated to the United States as an infant in 1884, together with his parents and four siblings. By age 16, he was a professional musician, like his two older brothers, Angelo and Frank Chiaffarelli. In 1904, he went on several tours with the John Philip Sousa Band. From 1910-1919, he played the principal clarinet in the New York Philharmonic Orchestra; in 1921, he had the same position with the National Symphony Orchestra of New York. In addition, he played the clarinet in the orchestras of the Metropolitan Opera in New York and of the Chicago Opera. Between 1918 and 1921, Chiaffarelli made several recordings for OKeh. On some he performs as a solo clarinetist, on others he accompanies the singers Charles Hart and Elliott Shaw on the organ. He also arranged the music for the 1926 short film "The Spirit of 1918." He died on October 31, 1945 in New York City. His compositions include "Polonaise", which he recorded himself for OKeh, "Serenade", the intermezzo "Minerva", the march song "She'll Be Waiting When You Come Back Home," the "American Aerial Triumph March," the "Lisztiana March," and the "Blue Destiny Symphony."