Giuseppe St. Martini

Sonata a minor op. 2 No. 6

Giuseppe Sammartini, also St. Martini or San Martino, the older brother of Giovanni Battista Sammartini (1701-1775), was born in Milan in 1693. After working as an oboist in the orchestra of the Milan "Regio Ducal Teatro", he went to London in 1727, where he quickly became famous as a soloist, orchestral musician and teacher. He played under George Frideric Handel at the King's Theatre in London and even became chamber music director for the Prince of Wales. Giuseppe Sammartini probably died in 1770. The two great sonatas by Giuseppe Sammartini (in the original "St. Martini") captivate in the slow movements with beautiful melodies and interesting harmonies. The Sonata from op. 2 is stormy to virtuosic in the fast movements, which are excerpted from op. 13, on the other hand, is more mature and balanced. Both sonatas are a wonderful addition to the not exactly extensive literature for the soprano recorder.