Role

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Composer

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Vocal

 

Mat (Matty) Malneck and Frank Signorelli were two of the most prominent composers of classical music in the early 20th century. Both were born in New York City, Malneck in 1903 and Signorelli in 1901, and both began their musical careers at a young age. Malneck was born into a musical family, with his father playing the violin and his mother the piano. He began playing the violin at the age of six and later studied at the Juilliard School of Music. He quickly became known for his virtuosity on the violin and his ability to improvise, which led to him being hired as a session musician for various recording studios. Signorelli, on the other hand, began his musical career as a pianist. He was also a child prodigy, playing his first public concert at the age of eight. He later studied at the New York College of Music and became known for his ability to play a wide range of musical styles, from classical to jazz. The two musicians first met in the early 1920s, when they were both working as session musicians in New York City. They quickly became friends and began collaborating on musical projects. Their first major success came in 1928, when they wrote the music for the Broadway musical "Whoopee!" The show was a huge hit and helped to establish Malneck and Signorelli as two of the most talented composers of their generation. Over the next few years, Malneck and Signorelli continued to work together on a variety of musical projects. They wrote music for several more Broadway shows, including "Flying Colors" and "The Third Little Show." They also began to write music for films, including the 1931 movie "The Smiling Lieutenant," which starred Maurice Chevalier and Claudette Colbert. One of the highlights of Malneck and Signorelli's career came in 1934, when they wrote the music for the film "The Big Broadcast of 1936." The movie featured several of the biggest stars of the day, including Bing Crosby, Ethel Merman, and George Burns and Gracie Allen. The soundtrack for the film was a huge success, and the song "I Wished on the Moon," which Malneck and Signorelli wrote for the movie, became a hit. Malneck and Signorelli continued to work together throughout the 1930s and 1940s, writing music for films and Broadway shows. They also continued to collaborate with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, and Benny Goodman. One of the most famous songs that Malneck and Signorelli wrote together was "Goody Goody," which was first recorded by Benny Goodman in 1936. The song became a huge hit and has since been covered by dozens of other artists, including Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Malneck and Signorelli's music was known for its versatility and its ability to blend different musical styles. They were equally comfortable writing classical music, jazz, and popular songs, and their music was often characterized by its catchy melodies and intricate harmonies. Despite their success, Malneck and Signorelli remained relatively unknown outside of the music industry. They were both modest and unassuming men who preferred to let their music speak for itself. However, their contributions to the world of classical music cannot be overstated, and their music continues to be enjoyed by audiences around the world.

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