- Classical Music Dictionary

Pietro Nardini Life

Nardini was born in 1722, in Fibiana.
He was brought to Leghorn where he began to study music, when he was only a child.

He took lessons from Tartini, in Padua, when he was twenty-four.
Nardini then returned to Leghorn playing in church concerts.

In 1753 Nardini played as violinist for the chapel of the Duke of Wurtemberg, in Suttgart.

Leopold Mozart, father of the great Mozart and a violin specialist himself, wrote that Nardini was perhaps the greatest violinist he had ever heard.

Emperor Joseph II heard Nardini perform, and was so impressed that he gave him a richly decorated gold snuffbox.

In 1767 Nardini returned once again to Leghorn, where he composed the majority of his music.

Two years later, he travelled to Padua, home of Tartini, and began a great friendship with his former teacher.
Nardini it was who nursed Tartini during the old master's final days, until Tartini died.

In 1770, Nardini became the first violinist and chapel- master in Florence.
Then, he served the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

His final years were spent in hidden retirement in Florence, where he died in 1793.

Composers Biography