Pietro Locatelli

Pietro Antonio Locatelli (September 3, 1695–March 30, 1764) was an Italian composer and violinist.

Related Topics:
September 3 - 1695 - March 30 - 1764 - Italian - Composer - Violin

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He was born in Bergamo in Italy. He studied in Rome and settled in Amsterdam in 1729, where he died.

Related Topics:
Bergamo - Rome - Amsterdam

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Locatelli's works are mainly for the violin, an instrument on which he was a virtuoso. His most significant publication is probably the Arte del violino, opus 3, a collection of twelve concertos for the instrument which incorporate twenty four technically demanding capriccios (or caprices) - these could function as extended cadenzas, but are now usually extracted and played in isolation from the concertos.

Related Topics:
Virtuoso - Opus - Concerto - Capriccio - Cadenza

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Locatelli also wrote violin sonatas, trio sonatas, concerti grossi and a set of flute sonatas (his opus 2). His early works show the influence of Arcangelo Corelli, while later pieces are closer to Antonio Vivaldi in style.

Related Topics:
Violin sonata - Trio sonata - Concerti grossi - Flute - Arcangelo Corelli - Antonio Vivaldi

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Locatelli may be best known to the modern public for a piece that does not actually exist. Master and Commander, the first novel in Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series, begins with the famous line: 'The music-room in the governor's house at Port Mahon, a tall, handsome, pillared octagon, was filled with the triumphant first movement of Locatelli's C major quartet.' In fact, Locatelli is not known to have written any quartets.

Related Topics:
Patrick O'Brian - Aubrey-Maturin series - Quartet

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