Alfonso D'Artega (June 5, 1907 – January 20, 1998), often known simply as D'Artega, was a songwriter, conductor, arranger and actor. His song "In the Blue of Evening", co-written with Tom Adair, was a number one hit for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in 1943.
D'Artega was born in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico. His family emigrated to the U.S. in 1918. D'Artega studied music and composition at Strassberger's Conservatory in St. Louis, Missouri with Boris Levenson, who was a pupil of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. He became a well-known conductor on stage and on air, and in 1946 initiated the Carnegie Hall "Pops" concerts with members of the New York Philharmonic. In 1947 he played the role of Tchaikovsky in the film Carnegie Hall, conducting the film score as well. He was guest conductor with, among others, the Buffalo Symphony Orchestra, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra and the NBC Symphony of the Air.
D'Artega wrote over 50 songs. Perhaps his most widely recognized composition in the U.S. is "The NBC Chimes Theme".
One of D'Artega's earlier ventures was D'Artega's All-Girl Orchestra, a twenty-piece show band. The group was formed in New York City in 1942 and appeared in the Broadway play called "Hair Pin Harmony". As a result of that success, the group was booked by the newly formed United Service Organization (USO) Camp Shows. The group traveled coast to coast playing at various military bases, ending in California where they were featured in the Paramount Pictures release "You Can’t Ration Love".
The All-Girl Orchestra continued with the USO and traveled throughout the European and Pacific theaters during World War II. The first tour started in Italy and followed the advance of Allied troops into Germany, France, and Czechoslovakia. The orchestra continued service with the USO traveling to China, Japan, and islands in the Pacific. D'Artega was not only the inspiration, but wrote, arranged, and conducted the group.
In 1953, D'Artega was the conductor for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in the Summer Pops Concert at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, New York when they performed the musical composition co-written by Maestro D'Artega and composers Helmy Kresa, and Michael P. Grace II. The composition, titled Space Taxi Selections, was described by the Buffalo Courier-Express as "musical impressionism with a jive tempo". The newspaper also reported how the selections "brought a burst of applause from the audience"."Concert Fans In on Preview". Buffalo Courier Express. July 15, 1953.
For the 1973 film Fifty Years of Thorns and Roses, a documentary about saint, priest, and mystic Padre Pio of Pietrelcena, Alfonso D'Artega had composed and copyrighted the score.D'Artega., Alfonso.
TITLES OF MUSICAL EPISODES IN 50 YEARS OF THORNS AND ROSES; m Alfonso D
Condensed score.
Appl. ti.: Padre Pio of Pietrelcina.
© Alfonso D'Artega; 5Sep72; EU353943.
1. D'Artega, Alfonso.
2. T: Fifty years of thorns and roses.
3. T: Padre Pio of Pietrelcina. • pab-Of 72-2 10-2
https://vcc.copyright.gov/browse
Filmography +Film RolesTitleRoleYearCarnegie HallTschaikowski1947You Can't Ration LoveOrchestra Leader1944Fifty Years of Thorns and RosesSoundtrack Composer1973
Screenplay and Artwork for Film Project +Created by D'Artega and William D. Van Ness:US Copyright Office
Virtual Card Catalog
Drawer Label: VANN-VANR
Card Numbers: .0165-.0179
https://vcc.copyright.gov/browseTitleMediaYearThe Magic World:
A Science Fiction Musical FantasyScreenplay1953Valedon as seen from the Martian farmsPainting1953Mining operations and construction of star ships seen from PhobosPainting1953The Martian war machine and planet disruptorPainting1953The Martian city of ValedonPainting 1953The Martian Alphonian monasteryPainting1953Ice Caverns, demons of fire and ice loandraPainting1953The grand canal festival on MarsPainting1953The enchanted gardens of VianaPainting1953Club Saturn Interior [night club on planet]Painting 1953Club Saturn ExteriorPainting 1953Ballet of the Meadow SpritesPainting 1953
Discography +TitleYearWordsMusicPeace or War?
Prayer for Disarmament
(The Swan)1978Bernard E. StankiewiczAlfonso D'ArtegaFifty Years of Thorns and Roses1972Alfonso D'ArtegaWhen I lift up my heart in prayer. For 6-part chorus of mixed voices with piano1955Charles J. WhiteAlfonso D'ArtegaFire and Ice Ballet1954Alfonso D'ArtegaAstral BalletUS Copyright Office Virtual Card Catalog, Drawer: Grac-Grac, Card #.0144 1945-19541953Alfonso D'Artega & Michael GraceMy Heart is GayUS Copyright Virtual Card Catalog
Drawer Label: DARLINGA-DASHH
Card .0563
https://vcc.copyright.gov/browse1953William D. Van NessAlfonso D'ArtegaAll This Could Be a DreamUS Copyright Virtual Card Catalog Drawer Label: DARLINGA-DASHH Card .05441953William D. Van NessAlfonso D'ArtegaStories in the StarsUS Copyright Virtual Card Catalog Drawer Label: DARLINGA-DASHH Card .05431951Dick SanfordAlfonso D'ArtegaThe song that made you mineUS Copyright Virtual Card Catalog Drawer Label: DARLINGA-DASHH Card .05641951William Carroll LovedayAlfonso D'ArtegaRomance in Carnegie Hall
(from film Carnegie Hall)US Copyright Virtual Card Catalog Drawer Label: DARLINGA-DASHH Card .05471947Alfonso D'Artega & Buddy KayeAlfonso D'Artega & Buddy KayeValley of Dreams-come-trueUS Copyright Virtual Card Catalog Drawer Label: DARLINGA-DASHH Card .05661947Jack Lawrence, Paul Reif, & Alfonso D'ArtegaJack Lawrence, Paul Reif, & Alfonso D'ArtegaDream ConcertoUS Copyright Virtual Card Catalog Drawer Label: DARLINGA-DASHH Card .05401947Alfonso D'Artega & Paul ReifAlfonso D'Artega & Paul ReifGo Sleepy SleepUS Copyright Virtual Card Catalog Drawer Label: DARLINGA-DASHH Card .05411946Alfonso D'Artega & Eddie WhiteAlfonso D'Artega & Eddie White
References
External links Gloria Parker Collection of Alfonso D'Artega Materials, 1942-2002 at the Library of Congress