Baroque

8 April

April 8th: Giuseppe Tartini

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Italy 18th Century, April, Baroque, Giuseppe Tartini, Violin Sonata in G minor ''Devil's Trill Sonata''

Giuseppe Tartini 8 April 1692 – 26 February 1770

Violin Sonata in G minor ''Devil's Trill Sonata''

Guiseppe Tartini
By Unknown author – https://www.flickr.com/photos/magika2000/27724761321/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49859252

Giuseppe Tartini was an Italian Baroque composer and violinist, born on 8 April 1692 in Pirano, which is now in Slovenia. Initially, he studied law and theology but chose to pursue music instead. His early life was marked by a secret marriage that forced him to seek refuge in a monastery, where he began studying the violin seriously. Tartini became well known for his virtuosic playing and expressive style, founding a violin school in Padua that attracted students from all over Europe.

His most famous work, the Devil’s Trill Sonata, was inspired by a dream in which the devil played a beautiful piece on Tartini’s violin. He wrote over a hundred violin concertos and sonatas, showcasing a deep understanding of the instrument’s capabilities. Tartini’s exploration of acoustics and music theory contributed to the understanding of harmony and intonation. He passed away in Padua in 1770, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of music.

24 March

March 24th: Samuel Scheidt

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Germany 16th Century, 17th Century, Baroque, Battle Suite, March, Samuel Scheidt

Samuel Scheidt Baptised 3 November 1587 – 24 March 1654

Battle Suite

Samuel Scheidt
By Ioach. Caesar – http://www.mitteldeutsche-barockmusik.de/mibamu-wAssets/img/S_Scheidt_Portrait.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=279757

Samuel Scheidt was a German composer, organist and teacher of the early Baroque era. Scheidt was born in Halle and studied in Amsterdam under Sweelinck, a notable Dutch composer. After returning to Halle, he became court organist and later Kapellmeister for the Margrave of Brandenburg. During the Thirty Years’ War, he stayed in Germany, surviving by teaching and taking smaller jobs. In 1628, he became the musical director of three churches in Halle, including the Market Church. Scheidt was the first significant German composer for the organ, developing a unique north German style influenced by the Protestant Reformation. His music includes instrumental works, primarily for organ, and sacred vocal music, some a cappella and others with accompaniment. He often employed a “patterned variation” technique in his chorale preludes, creating increasingly elaborate variations. His complete works are published in 16 volumes, and many collections feature his chorale preludes, showcasing his lasting impact on music.

22 March

March 22nd: Jean-Baptiste Lully

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, France 17th Century, Baroque, Jean-Baptiste Lully, March, Miserere

Jean-Baptiste Lully 28 or 29 November [O.S. * 18 or 19 November] 1632 – 22 March 1687

Miserere

Jean-Baptiste Lully
By Paul Mignard – http://www.photo.rmn.fr/archive/17-510739-2C6NU0ATWZKF7.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13254553

Jean-Baptiste Lully, born Giovanni Battista Lulli, was an Italian-French composer, dancer, and instrumentalist, celebrated as a master of French Baroque music. He was born on November 28 or 29, 1632, in Florence. Lully became a French subject in 1661 and worked at the court of Louis XIV. He was a close friend of playwright Molière, collaborating on many comédie-ballets, including his famous work, Le Bourgeois gentilhomme. Lully’s music is known for its lively rhythms and emotional depth, reflecting the characteristics of Baroque music. He introduced new dance forms and combined theatre with music, creating a unique genre. His operas, such as Armide, showcased his innovative style and contributed significantly to the development of French opera. Lully’s influence extended beyond his lifetime, shaping the future of orchestral music. He died on March 22, 1687, from gangrene after an accident during a performance. Lully’s legacy continues to be celebrated, as he is remembered for his contributions to music and the arts in the royal court of France.

*Old Style (O.S.) and New Style (N.S.) indicate dating systems before and after a calendar change, respectively. Usually, they refer to the change from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar as enacted in various European countries between 1582 and 1923.

17 March

March 17th: Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, France 17th Century, 18th Century, Baroque, Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre, Female Composers, March, Sonata No. 2 in B-flat

Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre 17 March 1665 – 27 June 1729

Sonata No. 2 in B-flat

Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre
By François de Troy, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7250404

Élisabeth-Claude Jacquet was born into a family of musicians in Paris. Her father, Claude, taught her music, and at just five years old, she performed for Louis XIV at Versailles. This led to her becoming a musician in the royal court. In 1684, she married organist Marin de La Guerre. Jacquet de La Guerre was one of the few female composers of her time, composing in various forms, including sonatas and operas. Her first published work, Premier livre de pièces de clavessin, appeared in 1687. In 1694, she produced her opera, Céphale et Procris, the first opera by a woman in France. Although it received limited performances, her compositions were innovative. She blended French and Italian styles, influencing future music. Despite personal tragedies, including the loss of her son and husband, she continued to compose. Her later works, such as the Cantates Bibliques, reflect her creativity. Jacquet de La Guerre’s legacy as a pioneering female composer continues to inspire musicians today.

14 March

March 14th: Georg Philipp Telemann

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Germany 17th Century, 18th Century, Baroque, Georg Philipp Telemann, March, Sonata in D major

Georg Philipp Telemann 24 March [O.S. 14 March] 1681 – 25 June 1767

Sonata in D major TWV 44:1

Georg Philipp Telemann
By Valentin Daniel Preisler – Valentin Daniel Preisler, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=111944

Georg Philipp Telemann was a German Baroque composer born on 24 March 1681. He is known as one of the most prolific composers in history, with over 3,000 compositions. Telemann was largely self-taught and pursued music against his family’s wishes. He studied in Magdeburg, Zellerfeld, and Hildesheim, eventually attending the University of Leipzig to study law. However, he chose a career in music, becoming a musical director in several cities, including Hamburg. Telemann’s music blends French, Italian, and German styles, showcasing his versatility. He composed many sacred cantatas and instrumental works, influencing the transition from Baroque to Classical music. Despite personal struggles, including the deaths of his wives and financial difficulties, Telemann remained dedicated to his craft. His works were highly regarded during his lifetime, and he was compared to famous contemporaries like Bach and Handel. Today, Telemann’s music is celebrated for its richness and complexity, reflecting the diverse influences of his time. The Telemann Museum in Hamburg honours his legacy, ensuring his contributions to music are remembered.

12 March

March 12th: Thomas Augustine Arne

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, England, Europe 18th Century, Baroque, March, Rule Britannia!, Thomas Augustine Arne

Thomas Augustine Arne 12 March 1710 – 5 March 1778

Rule, Britannia!

Thomas Arne
By Robert Dunkarton/ After William Humphrey – npg.org.uk/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11252786

Thomas Augustine Arne was an English composer born in Covent Garden. He is best known for his patriotic song “Rule, Britannia!” and the nursery rhyme “A-Hunting We Will Go.” Arne was a leading figure in 18th-century British theatre, creating music for around 90 stage works, including operas, plays, and pantomimes. He was educated at Eton College and had a passion for music from a young age. Arne often practiced secretly at night, showing his dedication. His sister, Susannah, was a famous singer who performed in his works. Arne’s operas, such as “Artaxerxes,” were significant in the development of English opera. He introduced women’s voices into choruses and was one of the first composers to address copyright issues legally.

Throughout his life, Arne received support from influential patrons, including Frederick, Prince of Wales. He passed away on 5 March 1778 and is buried at St Paul’s in Covent Garden. Today, Arne is celebrated as one of Britain’s greatest theatrical composers, leaving a lasting legacy in music.

4 March

March 4th: Antonio Vivaldi

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Italy 17th Century, 18th Century, Antonio Vivaldi, Baroque, Cum Dederit, March, Nisi Dominus

Antonio Vivaldi 4 March 1678 – 28 July 1741

Nisi Dominus IV: Cum Dederit

Antonio Vivaldi
By Unidentified painter – (Old image: Taken from the en.wikipedia), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10678

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was an Italian Baroque composer, virtuoso violinist, and opera impresario, known for shaping the solo concerto into a dominant musical form. His influence spread widely across Europe during his lifetime, inspiring many imitators and advancing orchestration, violin technique, and programmatic music. Born in Venice, Vivaldi was baptised immediately after birth, likely due to fragile health. He trained for the priesthood from age 15 and was ordained in 1703, earning the nickname “il Prete Rosso” (“the Red Priest”) for his red hair. Much of Vivaldi’s career centred on the Ospedale della Pietà, an institution that educated girls in music. He taught and composed extensively for its musicians. His breakthrough came with the concerto collection L’estro armonico, published in 1711. In the 1720s, he composed his most famous work: The Four Seasons, which depicts vivid seasonal scenes, each linked to a descriptive sonnet. Vivaldi died in poverty in 1741, but his music experienced a revival in the 20th century. Today, The Four Seasons remains one of the most performed Baroque works.

NPG 3970; George Frideric Handel by Thomas Hudson

23 February

February 23rd: George Frideric Handel

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Germany 18th Century, Baroque, February, George Frideric Handel, Sarabande

George Frideric Handel 23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759

III. Sarabande HWV 437

George Frideric Handel
By Thomas Hudson – National Portrait Gallery: NPG 3970, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35044605

George Frideric Handel was a German-born Baroque composer who settled in London in 1712 and became a naturalised British subject in 1727. He is celebrated for his Italian operas, English oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concertos. Influenced by German choral traditions and the Italian Baroque, he helped shape “high Baroque” music, elevating Italian opera in England and establishing the English oratorio tradition. Major works still widely performed include Messiah, Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks, and the coronation anthem Zadok the Priest, used at every British coronation since 1727. Born in Halle, Handel received early training from organist Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, then worked in Hamburg’s opera scene. He travelled to Italy, where he gained acclaim and produced successful operas. After moving to London, he achieved major success with Rinaldo and became a leading figure in the city’s operatic life. Facing financial pressures in the 1730s, he shifted focus to English choral works, creating landmark oratorios such as Saul, Israel in Egypt, and Samson. In later life, he became blind.

1 February

February 1st: Alessandro Marcello

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Italy 17th Century, 18th Century, Alessandro Marcello, Baroque, February, Oboe Concerto in C minor

Alessandro Marcello 1 February 1673 – 19 June 1747

Oboe Concerto in C minor

Alessandro Marcello
By Unknown author – http://www.portraitindex.de/documents/obj/33804341, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37839609

Alessandro Ignazio Marcello (1 February 1673 – 19 June 1747) was an Italian nobleman and composer known for his contributions to Baroque music. Born in Venice, he was the son of a senator and enjoyed a privileged upbringing that allowed him to explore music. Marcello held concerts and composed various works, including concertos, cantatas, and violin sonatas. His notable collection, La Cetra, showcases his talent. He often used the pseudonym Eterio Stinfalico while being part of the Arcadian Academy. Marcello passed away in Venice and was buried near Padua. His family faced challenges, particularly Rosanna Scalfi, who sought financial support from Marcello due to legal issues regarding her marriage to his brother. Although many of Marcello’s works are rarely performed today, he is still regarded as a skilled composer. His Concerto for Oboe and Strings in D minor is well-known and was transcribed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Marcello’s music reflects the characteristics of the Baroque style, including counterpoint and the use of wind instruments.

Anonimo,_ritratto_della_compositrice_e_clavicembalista_maria_teresa_agnesi

19 January

January 19th: Maria Teresa Agnesi Pinottini

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Italy 18th Century, Baroque, Female Composers, January, Maria Teresa Agnesi Pinottini, Sonata per il Clavicembalo

Maria Teresa Agnesi Pinottini 17 October 1720 – 19 January 1795

Sonata per il Clavicembalo

By Sailko – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=55025131

Maria Teresa Agnesi Pinottini was an Italian composer born in Milan. She was not only known for her compositions but also as a talented harpsichordist and singer. Her music mainly featured keyboard and vocal elements. Maria Teresa received a rich education from her father, Pietro Agnesi, who was part of the lesser nobility. She was inspired by her older sister, Maria Gaetana, a mathematics prodigy. Maria Teresa married Pier Antonio Pinottini in 1752, but they faced financial difficulties, and he died shortly after.

Throughout her career, she performed numerous times, with a notable performance on 16 July 1739, impressing the French traveller Charles de Brosses. Her theatrical debut was the Cantata Pastorale Il Ristoro d’Arcadia in 1747. Maria Teresa gained the support of influential patrons, including Maria Theresa, the Holy Roman Empress. Her music was technically challenging and reflected the northern Italian style. Over time, her compositions evolved from simple to complex, showcasing her growth as a composer.