Sammartini: Symphonies and Overtures

Featuring

Roberto Gini
Milan Classical Chamber Orchestra
Giovanni Battista Sammartini

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Compositional Technique

In Sammartini's era, the symphony was still an evolving form, evident in his varied titles for pieces, including 'Sonata for several obbligato instruments', 'Overtur', and 'chamber symphony'.

Composition History

Sammartini composed new programs three times a week for public concerts in Milan, which allowed him to develop and exploit new and imaginative ideas.

Compositional Technique

Sammartini's instrumental writing became more sophisticated over time, with violins often becoming independent and violas freed from the basses, allowing each instrumental group to develop its melodic ideas.

Historical Context

Charles Burney, an English music historian, noted that Giovanni Battista Sammartini was the organist of several churches in Milan and was the brother of the famous 'Martini of London', a renowned oboist and composer.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Sammartini's creative approach blended typical Baroque procedures with very modern stylistic and formal elements, rather than relying on pre-established patterns.

Compositional Technique

The works on this album span Sammartini's 'middle period' (1740-1758) and 'third period' (1759-death), showcasing the development of the classical style in his symphonic creations.

Composer Biography

Giovanni Battista Sammartini, the composer, is remembered as the 'father of the symphony' due to his extensive output of around seventy symphonies and his active role leading his own orchestra.