Giustini: 12 Sonatas Op. 1

Zentilin, Paolo

96173

Lodovico Giustini was born in 1685 (the annus mirabilis in which also Bach, Handel and Scarlatti were born..) in Pistoia, Italy, into a musical family, his father was organist. Upon his father’s death Lodovico succeeded him as organist, and spent his life thus at the Pistoia cathedral, writing sacred liturgical works and keyboard music.

Giustini's main fame rests on his work 12 Sonate da cimbalo di piano e forte detto volgarmente di martelletti, Op.1, published in Florence in 1732, which is the earliest music in any genre written specifically for the piano.

These pieces, which are Sonate da Chiesa with alternating fast and slow sections (four or five movements per sonata), predate all other music specifically written for the piano by about 30 years. Giustini used all the expressive capabilities of the instrument, such as wide dynamic contrast: expressive possibilities which were not available on other keyboard instruments of the time. Harmonically the pieces are transitional between late Baroque and early Classical period practice, and include innovations such as augmented sixth chords and modulations to remote keys.

Played by Paolo Zentilin on a modern piano, making full yet retrained use of the instrument’s possibilities, in a refined and delicate way.

CD x 3

Brilliant Classics

2021-01-15

5028421961736