Baldassare Galuppi

1706 - 1785

Introduced to music and the art of composition by his father Baldassare Galuppi grew up on the island of Burano in Venice. His father’s work involved interweaving his role a jobbing violinist with being a barber.

Baldassare studied music in Venice before heading for London where he gained a reputation for composing Opera Buffa.

He returned to Venice as assistant concertmaster at San Marco no less. As his reputation grew he was poached in 1766 by the Empress Catherine II of Russia to be her kapellmeister. Here he continued composing his operas and a rare Opera Serie: Ifigenia in Tauride

He returned to Venice two years later and resumed his duties at San Marco. He is known to have composed over a hundred operas during his lifetime.

However he also composed a variety of instrumental works which are even less well known. And from those we’ve selected this recording of a piano sonata.

There’s nothing in the way of moments of great drama but it is intricate and engaging and a fine example of his work.