Torelli, Giuseppe 1658-1709

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Giuseppe Torelli (April 22, 1658 - February 8, 1709 ) was an Italian violinist, pedagogue and composer. He was the brother of Felice Torelli, a noted painter, and is most remembered for his contributions to the development of the instrumental concerto, especially concerti grossi and the solo concerto, as well as compositions for strings and continuo, as well as for trumpets.

Regarded by many as one of the greatest Italian composers and violonists ever, Torelli was born in Verona. He was a pupil of Giacomo Antonio Perti in Bologna. On June 27, 1684, at the age of 26, he became a member of the Accademia Filarmonica as suonatore di violino. He directed the capella at the cathedral (San Petronio) of Bologna, 1686 - 1695. He was maestro di concerto to the court of Georg Friedrich II, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach from 1698 to 1699 where he presented an oratorio (December 1699) before returning again to Bologna (1701) to become a violinist in the cappella musicale at San Petronio. The brief, rather formal concerto for four violins demanded disciplined control and intonation from its four soloists.

He died in Bologna in 1709.

The most notable amongst his many pupils was Francesco Manfredini.