Giuseppe Sammartini, Concerto for Recorder and Strings

Giuseppe Sammartini (1695 – 1750) could easily be confused with his younger brother Giovanni Battista Sammartini (c. 1700 – 1775). The “Sammartini Brothers” were listed as oboists in Milan in 1720, which is probably a reference to Giuseppe and Giovanni Battista (although another brother might have been intended). We briefly mentioned Giovanni Battista Sammartini a few weeks ago in connection with Baldassare Galuppi and the galant style. 

But while Giovanni Battista became one of the most prominent Italian composer of the day, Giuseppe (composer of today’s work) moved to London in 1728 and remained there for the rest of his life. He was regarded as an outstanding oboist, and one commentator went so far as to dub him the “greatest [oboist] the world has ever known.” Renowned flutist Johann Joachim Quantz on a visit to Venice marked Giuseppe as the only good wind player in the opera orchestra and among the best he had ever heard.

In London, among his other duties, Giuseppe played in Handel’s orchestra. He also served as music master to the family of Frederick Prince of Wales (eldest son of King George II and father of George III) and dedicated his 12 sonatas op. 1 to Frederick. 

And while his brother Giovanni Battista is strongly associated with the galant style, Giuseppe tended to write more in the late Baroque style. His music does, however, reflect some of the newer trends of the galant and Classical styles. He wrote almost exclusively instrumental music including 12 concertos. His music was not well known until after his death.