Francesco Barsanti
Francesco Barsanti (1690–1770) was an Italian flautist, oboist and composer. He was born in the Tuscan city of Lucca, but spent most of his career in London after having completed his musical studies in Padova.
Biography
In 1708 Barsanti travelled to Padova intending to pursue an education in science, but, after having attended a number of concerts in that city, he decided on a careeri in music.
Several years later Barsanti completed his studies in Padova and ventured to London, where he intended to become a member of an orchestra. Although London is where Barsanti would spend the majority of his life, briefly in 1717, and once again in 1718, he returned to his native Lucca to perform at the Santa Croce Holy Festival, an annual event organized by affluent Luccan politicians as a means to uphold the city's musical reputation.
In 1735 Barsanti decided to leave London, the city that had provided him with success, in order to marry a woman of the Scottish aristocracy—the society which would eventually aid him in the publication of a modest repertoire. He later returned to London, this time as a violist, and performed for many years in many London theaters. Impoverished and destitute, Barsanti died suddenly in 1770.
Works
- 6 Sonatas for Recorder and Continuo Op. 1
- 6 Sonatas for Flute and Continuo Op. 2
- 10 Concerto Grosso Op. 3
- 6 Antiphons Op. 5
- "A Collection of Old Scot Tunes"
Recordings
- Sei sonate Op. 2 per flauto traverso, Auser Musici, Carlo Ipata, soloist and director, Agorà AG 157.1 (1998)
- Concerti Grossi, Op. 3 (nos. 1, 4, 6, 7, 10), Auser musici, Carlo Ipata, director, Tactus Records TC.690201 (2003)
- "Francesco Geminiani - Pietro Castrucci - Francesco Barsanti : Italian Musicians In London", Arts Production (1995/2006)
References
- Richard Griscom & David Lasocki (2003) Routledge Music Bibliographies: The Recorder: A Research and Information Guide, 2nd ed. New York: Routledge ISBN 0-415-93744-2
External links
- Information on Barsanti at Tesori Musicali Toscani
- Free scores by Francesco Barsanti at the International Music Score Library Project
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