Giuseppe Tartini

Tartini's violin writing exploits double stops, rapid passage work, and the upper register with unprecedented sophistication. His melodic lines often feature slow, ornamented cantabile over harmonic foundations derived from acoustic principles. The music sounds both sensuously Italian and intellectually rigorous.

He studied Corelli's works obsessively, absorbing Italian Baroque violin style. His theoretical work on the 'terzo suono' (difference tone) influenced later acousticians and composers. He founded the 'School of Nations' in Padua, teaching students from across Europe who spread his techniques.

After a colorful youth (including a secret marriage and brief exile), he settled in Padua as first violinist at the Basilica of Saint Anthony. His middle period focused on performance and composition, producing most of his concertos and sonatas. Late years saw increasing emphasis on theory and teaching, codifying his techniques for posterity.

He claimed that his most famous work, the 'Devil's Trill' Sonata, came to him in a dream where the Devil played the violin with superhuman skill. Upon waking, he tried to recreate what he heard, but insisted the reality fell far short—imagine what the Devil's version must have sounded like!

His treatise on ornamentation and his rules for violin playing influenced violin pedagogy for over a century, shaping how the instrument was taught long after his compositional style fell out of fashion.

The 'Devil's Trill' Sonata is a recital staple, appearing frequently on violin programs. His concertos are performed by period ensembles but less by modern orchestras. Generally overshadowed by Vivaldi in Baroque violin repertoire, but the best works deserve more attention.