Scan 469
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1884
10 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 375. See the scan on archive.org.
1Burney's remarks are better understood at this moment than when penned. During the space of nearly a century the sonatas of Tartini lay dormant, and only within the past few years have their beauties been again recognised. Such works as Tartini's are all-important links in the chain of musical progress.
3Pietro Locatelli, a pupil of Corelli, introduced a style of playing quite in advance of his time. His compositions abound with novel combinations; double stops, harmonics, and arpeggios are displayed with wonderful results. Burney says that "Locatelli had more hand, caprice, and fancy than any Violinist of his time."
5The immediate follower of the style of Locatelli was Lolli, born 1728, who wrote pleasing airs and used novel effects, but failed to go further. It was one of his feats to play on one string, a performance very properly held in contempt in our day, having neither sense nor grace to recommend it.
7Felice Giardini was another musician of the style of Locatelli.* He was born at Turin, in the year 1716. His performance at Naples and Berlin excited considerable notice. In 1742 he visited England, and created some sensation, his style being new to the British public.
9* In "Les Maîtres Classiques," edited by M. Alard, and the "Hohe Schule," edited by Ferdinand David, will be found some of the best examples of this composer, as well as of many others noticed here.
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