Giovanni_Battista_Somis
Giovanni Battista Somis
Italian composer
Giovanni Battista Somis (December 25, 1686 – August 14, 1763) was an Italian violinist and composer of the Baroque music era.
He studied under Arcangelo Corelli between 1703 and 1706 or 1707.[1] He was later appointed solo violinist to the king at Turin and leader of the royal band, and seems scarcely ever to have left Turin after these appointments.
A trip to Paris in 1731 to play at the Concert Spirituel produced a report in the April 1733 Le Mercure praising his playing.[2]
He published eight opus numbers in all:
- Opus 1 - 12 sonatas for violin and figured bass (1717 Amsterdam, published by J. Roger) [3]
- Opus 2 - 12 sonatas for violin and figured bass (1723 Turin)
- Opus 3 - 12 sonatas for violin and figured bass (1725 Turin) [1]
- Opus 4 - 12 sonatas for violin and figured bass (1726 Paris)
- Opus 5 - 6 trio sonatas for two violins and figured bass (1733 Paris, published by Boisvin) [3]
- Opus 6 - 12 sonatas for violin and figured bass (1734 Paris)
- Opus 7 - "Ideali trattimenti da camera" for two violins, two flutes or violes (1750 Paris)
- Opus 8 - 6 trio sonatas
A set of twelve sonatas for cello and figured bass was published by LeClerc of Paris around 1740, as well.
He formed a style more brilliant and more emotional, and caused a decided step forward in the art of violin playing. He was the teacher of Jean-Marie Leclair,[4] Felice Giardini, Louis-Gabriel Guillemain, and Chabran,[5] as well as Gaetano Pugnani, and he forms a connecting link between the classical schools of Italy and France. He died in Turin.