(CBS Primetime, 1951 - 1953;
Syndicated, 1952 - 1966)
[from radio series, first on local Chicago radio 1926 - 1929,
then on NBC 1929 - 1950; and on CBS 1950 - 1960;
In 1966 it was withdrawn from syndication in
response to pressure from civil rights groups.]
[Italian name, aka: "La Serenata (Leggenda Valacca)";
French name, aka: "Légende Valaque"]
According to the book "Television Theme Recordings --
an illustrated discography" by Steve Gelfand, the original
radio series theme was "The Perfect Song" with music by
Joseph Breil, and words by Clarence Lucas. This 1915
composition was published by Chappell & Co., Ltd. (and
was used to accompany D. W. Griffith's famous silent film
"Birth of a Nation", according to "The Encyclopedia of
Old Time Radio" by John Dunning...)
However Radio networks were fighting ASCAP in 1941,
and many theme songs which were published by ASCAP
publishers had to be replaced.
So "Amos'N'Andy" chose this public domain piece, composed
in 1867 named "Angel's Serenade", a very similar piece,
performed in a wordless (vocalise) style by a large
vocal chorus.
Later for the TV series, the only THEME was "Angel's
Serenade" -- performed by the Jeff Alexander chorus.]
Composer: Gaetano Braga (predates ASCAP & BMI)
1908 Publisher: Arthème Fayard,
of Paris, France;
G. Schirmer as "Beer and Schirmer",
of New York, NY
1997 Publisher: [in the Public Domain]
Composition Date: 1867 [in Milan, Italy]
Recordings: