padre Giovanni Battista Martini

[ Life | Works | Photo Gallery | Home Page]

Giovanni Martini Life

In 1725 he became "maestro di cappella" of S. Francesco in Bologna: he occupied that post until the last years fo his life, and lived in the convent attached to the church.

In 1758, Martini was made a member of the Accademia dell'Istituto delle Scienze di Bologna as well as the Accademia dei Filarmonici di Bologna.

He visited Florence, Siena, Pisa and Rome in several occasions: he was offered positions in the Vatican and possibly in Padua, but he chose to remain in the city of his birth.

He was an excellent teacher: his pupils numbered about 100, including such illustrious men as J.C. Bach, Grčtry, Jommelli, W.A. Mozart and others.

In the course of his scholary work, Martini built up a magnificent library (incluiding a collection of portraits) and corresponded with the most famous musicians incluiding Agricola, Locatelli, Marpurg, Quantz, Rameau, Soler, Tartini, as well as to various writers, popes and rulers throughout Europe.

Giovanni Martini Works

Martini wrote in the new homophonic style with its thin texture and absolute supremacy of the treble; his books of sonatas, and choral and organ pieces, are written in luxuriant counterpoint.