Locatelli, Pietro

Having shown an extraordinary ability as a child in playing the violin, Locatelli was sent to Rome to study under the leadership of Arcangelo Corelli . There, Lokatelli worked as bandmaster , and in 1725 he took this position in Mantua . Very little information has been preserved about his life and work, but it is known that after many years of concert touring European cities ( Venice , Mantova , Berlin , Munich , Dresden , Kassel ) he settled in Amsterdam in 1729 , where he was engaged in pedagogical activities. Among his students was Jean-Marie Leclair . For his time, Locatelli was an extraordinary man. Life in bourgeois-republican Amsterdam since 1709 obviously left its mark on his character: he did not become a court musician, although all doors were opened to a virtuoso of his rank. His proud disposition is well drawn by the incident that occurred in Berlin in 1728. After the Lokatelli concert, King Friedrich Wilhelm sent him a fee of 20 thalers, which were immediately presented by the artist as a “tip” to the courtier who brought them. To the astonished king, the elector of Saxony, Frederick Augustus, who brought in the violinist, explained that Locatelli was not used to such small rewards. After the next performance, the virtuoso was presented with a golden bowl with ducats. “You are so generous,” the king said, “that this time I would like to earn the tip for my present myself.” To which Locatelli respectfully, but with obvious mockery replied: “Oh! The gift from the king’s hands is of such value that this time I couldn’t part with it. " After the death of Locatelli, he left a collection of musical instruments, works of art, published and handwritten musical compositions, books on philosophy, theology, ornithology, topography and history: testifying to a wide range of his interests.

Locatelli's major work is the concert series “The Art of the Violin”, which contains 12 recitals, including 24 long cadenza in the form of a capriccio (concert: violin solo, 2 violins, viola , cello and basso continuo (published in 1733). Name Locatelli It is also associated with the development of the sonata form . It is considered one of the first representatives of instrumental instrumental music (violin concerto No. 6 “Cry of Ariadne”, “Mourning Sonata”, etc.).

• Illustrated Biographical Encyclopedic Dictionary
• Biography of Pietro Locatelli
• Locatelli, Pietro: sheet music at International Music Score Library Project