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The Music Room => Composer Discussion => Topic started by: SonicMan46 on November 28, 2008, 03:24:14 PM

Title: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: SonicMan46 on November 28, 2008, 03:24:14 PM
Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - just looking at Sara's Composer Index and noticed that there are many 'missing' Italian composers!  Boccherini is an obvious choice, but there are many others; so, I decided (based on a recent purchase) to add the composer in the subject line here -  :D

Geminiani has about the same dates as Handel (1685-1759), and actually played w/ him in London; Fancesco was born in Italy (Lucca - same town as Boccherini about a half century later) - he became a violin virtuoso and studied w/ Corelli in Rome; apparently not happy in Italy, he traveled to London in 1714, and much of his reputation was established there (and in Ireland) - short BIO HERE (http://www.baroquemusic.org/bqxgem.html)- he wrote mainly instrumental works for small instrumental combinations & orchestral pieces.

My current compositions are shown below, but I need to explore his Opus Numbers which are somewhat confusing - some are transcriptions of Corelli pieces, while most are his own:

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4116GKSCAVL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)  (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513YB744hML._SL500_AA240_.jpg)

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EwY0N-KmL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)  (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BZQC4DDTL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: 71 dB on November 28, 2008, 11:50:54 PM
I have these Geminiani discs:

(http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5067/51ww3nfpnclsl500aa240mz3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us) (http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6365/511w7labh5lsl500aa240oj8.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)

Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: Lethevich on November 29, 2008, 12:00:27 AM
Quote from: SonicMan on November 28, 2008, 03:24:14 PM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/4116GKSCAVL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)

I've seen this one mentioned a lot for its general excellence, and as I have never heard the composer before it's going on my wishlist.
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: val on November 29, 2008, 12:59:10 AM
I have his 6 Concerti Grossi opus 3, by the Academy of Ancient Music directed by Hogwood. It is a good music, in Corelli's style, but without the fantasy or imagination of Vivaldi or even Tartini.

But I have to listen to his opus 7. I know the opus 7/2, played by Kuijken, and it seemed to me more original than the concertos of the opus 3.
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: SonicMan46 on November 29, 2008, 06:27:32 AM
Quote from: Lethe on November 29, 2008, 12:00:27 AM
I've seen this one mentioned a lot for its general excellence, and as I have never heard the composer before it's going on my wishlist.

Re:  Concerti Grossi (after Corelli, Op. 5) - about to listen to that 2-CD set myself - excellent review on Classics Today (http://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=2175) (10/10) - great start!  :D
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: SonicMan46 on November 29, 2008, 07:04:27 AM
Quote from: 71 dB on November 28, 2008, 11:50:54 PM
I have these Geminiani discs:

(http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5067/51ww3nfpnclsl500aa240mz3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us) (http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6365/511w7labh5lsl500aa240oj8.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)


Poju - curious about your thoughts on these two Naxos releases - 3 Opus numbers 'stuffed' into two discs - impressive!  At the moment, I don't own the Op. 2 & 3 works, so these recordings would peak my interest, and also provide another interpretation of the Op. 7 Concerti Grossi for me -  :D  Dave
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: 71 dB on November 29, 2008, 07:13:37 AM
Quote from: SonicMan on November 29, 2008, 07:04:27 AM
Poju - curious about your thoughts on these two Naxos releases - 3 Opus numbers 'stuffed' into two discs - impressive!  At the moment, I don't own the Op. 2 & 3 works, so these recordings would peak my interest, and also provide another interpretation of the Op. 7 Concerti Grossi for me -  :D  Dave

Yeah, there's over 2.5 hours of music on these two CDs. I suppose many don't exactly admire Capella Istropolitana but I don't have bad to say about these releases. Perhaps the Manze disc on HM is much better but it's also expensive...
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: SonicMan46 on November 29, 2008, 07:16:33 AM
Well, since starting this thread last night and reviewing the discs of this composer's works that I own, his thematic catalogue is not easily sorted out - not much in detail listed on the web.  A biography by Enrico Careri, title immediately below, was published in 1993, and apparently includes a thorough listing of his compositions - a description is quoted below - hopefully w/ some more web browsing and reading the CD booklets in my collection, I can come up with an abbreviated list myself - however, several problems do exit, first the composer left nearly a 10-year GAP in this whereabouts, i.e. 1716-25, and second he did a lot of transcriptions not only of others (e.g. Corelli) but his own works, so different versions & updates!  :-\

Francesco Geminiani (1687-1762): Part 1: Life and Works; Part 2: Thematic Catalogue (1687-1762 : Part 1 : Life and Works/Part 2 : Thematic Catalogue)


QuoteAlthough Francesco Geminiani is a relatively well-known composer whose name is frequently cited in studies of baroque music, his biography and works have been relatively little researched. His music was often analysed without due reference to the biographical and historical background, and his multifarious activities as violinist, composer, theorist, and small-scale entrepreneur were never considered in their full interrelationship. The present study represents a first attempt at providing a comprehensive account of a composer who in the first half of the eighteenth century dominated the English musical scene alongside Handel. The first volume traces Geminiani's life and career from his birth in Lucca in December 1687 to his activities in three centres: London, Paris, and Dublin. After analysing the critical reception to Geminiani, both contemporary and modern, Dr Careri examines his compositions by genre, illustrating his remarks with some 39 music examples, some presented in facsimile. The second volume is a complete thematic catalogue with music incipits, containing details of primary sources, reworkings and transcriptions, and modern editions.

Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: SonicMan46 on November 29, 2008, 08:21:35 AM
Well, did not take too long to generate a preliminary list of Geminiani's works - below in chronological order from what I could gather from the bio linked in the OP and reading a number of my CD booklets; his Opus numbers seem to stop @ Op. 7, plus I could not find an Op. 6 composition; a number of other works listed are also transcriptions of others or his own earlier pieces; he also did revisions, at least one of which is included (not sure 'how many' others were revised and republished).

Please provide any comments regarding corrections/additions/etc. - thanks.  P.S. a pic of the man @ the bottom!  :D

Op. 1, Nos. 1-12 - Violin Sonatas - ca. 1715
Concerti Grossi, Nos. 1-12 (after Corelli, Op. 5) - 1726
Op. 2, Nos. 1-6 - Concerti Grossi - 1732
Op. 3, Nos. 1-6 - Concerti Grossi - 1733 (revised in 1755)
Op. 4, Nos. 1-12 - Violin Sonatas - 1739
Pieces de clavecin (own transcriptions of violin works) - 1743
Concerti Grossi (own transcriptions of violin works) - 1743
Op. 5, Nos. 1-6 - Cello Sonatas - 1746
Op. 5a, Nos. 1-6 - Violin Sonatas (own transcriptions of cello works) - ca. 1746
Op. 7, Nos. 1-6 - Concerti Grossi - 1746
The Enchanted Forest - ca. 1750

(http://www.baroquemusiclibrary.com/imggeminiani.jpg)
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: SonicMan46 on December 24, 2008, 09:22:23 AM
Well, I was able to acquire the biography & thematic catalog book (1993) on Geminiani as an inter-library loan - just starting to look through the pages (front title page & another pic of the composer from the book - an engraving of a portrait, shown below).

Couple of early facts - he arrived in England in 1714; his Opus I Violin Sonatas (1716) were first performed in private for George I w/ the composer on the violin & Handel at the harpsichord - boy, that must have been exciting!

In reviewing a number of websites, I cannot locate a recording of these Opus I works (may be not looking in the right places?) - although published in England shortly after his arrival in London, Geminiani had likely composed and polished these works when in Italy; as w/ the Opus 2 & 3 Concerti Grossi, he probably worked on and performed these compositions before their final publication in 1732.

As to that 'elusive' 1716-1725 period referred to a couple of posts ago, the book's author devotes only a few pages, mainly quoting letters of those who had seen or had contact w/ the composer then - Geminiani apparently performed little in public - he taught many students and gave subscription performances & sold his compositions in a similar manner - I suspect he was quite active mainly in London during those 10 years or so!

BTW - I'll try to 'refine' his compositional catalog as listed previously, but likely not much change except for a date or two -  :)

(http://giradman.smugmug.com/photos/442126338_JQQtm-S.jpg)  (http://giradman.smugmug.com/photos/442126354_qRdK3-S.jpg)
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: SonicMan46 on January 03, 2009, 07:09:20 AM
Well, just received the two Naxos 'bargain' discs below, as commented upon by Poju - these recordings are well done and from the mid-1990s; the Capella Istropolitana was founded in 1983 by members of the Slovak PO.

The Opus 2 & 3 Concerti Grossi were first published in 1732 (birth year of Haydn & George Washington!), but were likely 'polished' over a number of years of performances - style is very Corellian (if that's a word?); these works were revised in 1755, but not sure from the liner notes which texts are being used (probably the revisions?).

The Opus 7 works were published in 1746, and seem much more original and dramatic (likely reflecting more the galant style); the two discs include 2 1/2 hrs of music and the individual Concerti average about 7-8 mins in length.  :)

(http://giradman.smugmug.com/photos/447802174_ThizX-M.jpg)  (http://giradman.smugmug.com/photos/447802167_ywYDH-M.jpg)
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: Josquin des Prez on January 03, 2009, 10:04:01 AM
Quote from: val on November 29, 2008, 12:59:10 AM
I have his 6 Concerti Grossi opus 3, by the Academy of Ancient Music directed by Hogwood. It is a good music, in Corelli's style, but without the fantasy or imagination of Vivaldi or even Tartini.

The concerto grosso is not meant to be fantastic or imaginative. It's a contrapuntal form of music aimed at pleasing a more "conservative" audience (the English in this case) in the midst of all the crazy and bizarre flights of fancies that were occurring in the field of solo concerto music at the time, particularly with the rise of the virtuoso phenomena. Handel's concerti grossi are in the same vein as those of Geminiani (that is, they follow the Corelli), and other then the fact they are infinitely superior in every way, they are virtually indistinguishable in both style and manner of content.
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: SonicMan46 on January 03, 2009, 07:37:53 PM
Just curious, has anyone heard and/or own the Opus 1 recordings mentioned in the previous posts - basically, should be Violin Sonatas w/ harpsichord - played for George I w/ Geminiani on violin & Handel on keyboard - I can't seem to find a recording on the usual websites?  Thanks all - Dave  :)
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: SonicMan46 on June 03, 2010, 04:18:32 PM
BOY!  I started this thread in November 2008, and posts ended (last by me) in January 2009!  Well, in all honesty I've been 'sidetracked' from this composer for nearly a year and a half - just left a post in the 'listening thread' - quoted below; flute works on PIs - when he appeared in England in 1714 (see early posts), he was accompanied by a fellow musician from Lucca, Francesco Barsanti who was an oboist and flutist; I'm assuming that these works were written and/or transcribed for this friend - an enjoyable disc well recorded by Tactus -  :D


Quote from: SonicMan on June 03, 2010, 03:46:42 PM
Small package from Italy today w/ my Tactus order (Purchases Thread number of pages back now) of a half dozen 'on sale' discs; included their catalog of 90+ pages (w/ 6 CDs per page - hmmm!); but up first:

Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Flute Sonatas & Airs w/ Mario Folena on a flute d'amore, Roberto Loreggian on harpsichord/organ, and Paola Frezzato on fagotto (bassoon) - delightful PI performance, esp. on the dominant flute/harpsichord pieces -  :D

(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/GeminianiFlute1/888977366_SBJCg-O.jpg)  (http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/GeminianiFlute2/888977382_6DzTT-O.jpg)
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: mc ukrneal on November 19, 2010, 12:22:51 AM
Anyone familiar with this disc?
(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/df/11/ad2d793509a0348356cc0110.L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: SonicMan46 on November 25, 2011, 04:27:46 PM
Well, I started this thread 3 years ago and the last post was from last year about this time!  ::)

Below is a post I left today in another thread concerning the Corelli Transcriptions - for those interested in Baroque music, this is a recording to own regardless of who's version - both of those shown are outstanding - if you like this period of music, at least one is a MUST acquisition - I'm keeping both! Dave  ;D

QuoteGeminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Concerti Grossi (after Corelli) w/ Chiara Banchini & Ensemble 415 - inexpensive 2-CD set from BRO; period instruments & practices (good liner notes by Banchini) - reduced numbers of performers vs. my other recording below w/ Manze - both of these are highly recommended (no culling out for me this time!) - :)


(http://giradman.smugmug.com/Other/Classical-Music/i-jP2375c/0/O/GeminianiEnsemble415.jpg)  (http://www.biberfan.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/geminiani_aam1.jpg)
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: chasmaniac on November 26, 2011, 02:25:29 AM
Among the recordings of opus 3 mentioned here, I don't see the Quebecois number I have, which I find most pleasing:

[asin]B00000C2AY[/asin]

Nor this pretty mix from the Purcells:

[asin]B000RV0RCI[/asin]
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: The new erato on November 26, 2011, 03:03:06 AM
Why does nobody mention this:

[asin]B0017NCS9A[/asin]

It has been available at various Universal closeouts recently at around the £5 mark, at which I bought it, and very fine it is.

And this disc is perhaps even greater:

[asin]B000SNUI5G[/asin]
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: petrarch on November 26, 2011, 06:37:18 AM
And there's also the excellent

[asin]B0014C5YAO[/asin]
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: Turner on March 15, 2017, 01:46:58 AM
Bump.

I only have Geminiani on LPs -

Angerer´s Vox Box 3LP of the Concerti Grossi op.2,3,4;
Scimone´s LP of the Concerti Grossi op.7;
and recordings of "La Foret Enchantee" by Scimone (Erato) and Jenkins (Nonesuch).

They are nice and attractive works, probably suitable for an upgrade to more modern CD recordings, but I like their rather broad performance style.

Among the concerti grossi, half of them are written in minor, giving a hint on their expressiveness.
Btw, the contemporary Charles Burney for example regarded them as more innovative works, than what has been said earlier in this thread: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_Geminiani
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: HIPster on June 02, 2017, 07:37:47 PM
Quote from: SonicMan46 on June 03, 2010, 04:18:32 PM
BOY!  I started this thread in November 2008, and posts ended (last by me) in January 2009!  Well, in all honesty I've been 'sidetracked' from this composer for nearly a year and a half - just left a post in the 'listening thread' - quoted below; flute works on PIs - when he appeared in England in 1714 (see early posts), he was accompanied by a fellow musician from Lucca, Francesco Barsanti who was an oboist and flutist; I'm assuming that these works were written and/or transcribed for this friend - an enjoyable disc well recorded by Tactus -  :D

[asin]B000027AGU[/asin]

Thanks for this recommendation Sonic Dave!  :)

Just ordered this.  Should arrive next week.  I'll post impressions then.
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: HIPster on June 06, 2017, 05:15:24 PM
This is a beautifully recorded disc ~

[asin]B000027AGU[/asin]

Thanks for the recommendation Sonic Dave!  ;)

Very fine chamber music.  I plan on revisiting this one often.
Title: Re: Geminiani, Francesco (1687-1762) - Violinist & Composer!
Post by: SonicMan46 on February 23, 2020, 08:28:14 AM
Geminiani TTT after a 3 year hiatus - I've been listening to this Italian-English transplant composer for the last several days - now own about 10 CDs of his works (and/or re-works!) - the top two images below are more recent purchases of his Opus 5 Cello Sonatas (which also have an Opus 5a version of 'violin transcriptions' - both excellent discs w/ great reviews).  The middle two CD sets which are my only Geminiani duplications but probably my favorites of this composers works - both are superb - one of these sets would be a recommendation from me for a 'starter' introduction to this composer.

Finally, some new appearances on Amazon (bottom images) since my last perusal likely a while ago - Opus 1 Sonatas & half of the Opus 4 Sonatas, neither of which I own - BUT, available on Spotify, so will give them a listen later.  SO, what is 'new' in the Geminiani world for you, if anything?  Dave :)

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61wPwStlCNL._SX355_.jpg)  (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81Vx2i169sL._SL1200_.jpg)

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51bORkl-0IL.jpg)  (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51CbudBzNGL.jpg)

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81kF6OIhyfL._SL1500_.jpg)  (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51MYv%2Bm2MnL.jpg)