Overview

Although Francesco Geminiani is a relatively well-known composer whose name is frequently cited in studies of baroque music, his biography and works have been relatively little researched. His music was often analysed without due reference to the biographical and historical background, and his multifarious activities as violinist, composer, theorist, and small-scale entrepreneur were never considered in their full interrelationship. The present study represents a first attempt at providing a comprehensive account of a composer who in the first half of the eighteenth century dominated the English musical scene alongside Handel. The first volume traces Geminiani's life and career from his birth in Lucca in December 1687 to his activities in three centres: London, Paris, and Dublin. After analysing the critical reception to Geminiani, both contemporary and modern, Dr Careri examines his compositions by genre, illustrating his remarks with some 39 music examples, some presented in facsimile. The second volume is a complete thematic catalogue with music incipits, containing details of primary sources, reworkings and transcriptions, and modern editions.

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9780198163008

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An essential purchase for all who are interested in the dynamics of 18th-century European music as well as those interested in the man and his music....Excellent. --The Musical Times<br> A classic study....Valuable because it plugs a major gap and is likely to remain the standard work on Geminiani. --Choice<br> .,. we must be grateful to Enrico Careri... a useful and readable book. --Music and Letters<br>

we must be grateful to Enrico Careri not only for several articles but also for turning his doctoral dissertation ... into a useful and readable book. * Sandra Mangsen, Music & Letters * the author performs the useful service of sorting out the multiple dependencies, but he also provides some interesting insights into Geminiani's growth as a composer by analyzing his revisions, particularly his simplifications and rationalizations, in some detail. * John Walter Hill, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Notes, June 1995 * 'It is surprising that we have had to wait so long for an authoritative account, in English, of the life and work of Francesco Geminiani, ... Careful scrutiny of Geminiani's oevre follow, with Careri, in a commendably sober and scholarly fashion, offering some penetrating insights into the concertos, the sonatas, ... his work represents an invaluable contribution to our knowledge of a musician who represents a vital link in the chain of Italian tradition from his likely teacher, Corelli, through to Tartini.' Robin Stowell. The Strad `Careri has done the composer proud with this detailed study ... It is the first major monograph to deal with this composer ... as throughout this excellent volume, Careri presents conflicting viewpoints and never presses his own critical angle too heavily: the reader will build a picture for himself, and certainly be inspired to reassess this composer's music and read again his treatises.' Richard Langham Smith, Musical Times, May 1994 `Many would-be chroniclers have doubtless been deterred by the jigsaw-like nature of Geminiani's career. ... Careri's detailed study, a revised version of his own PhD thesis, succeeds in assessing effectively all these strands. ... his work represents an invaluable contribution to our knowledge of a musician who represents a vital link in the chain of Italian tradition from his likely teacher, Corelli, through to Tartini.' The Strad `Careri's book gives a painstaking account of a composer who has attracted little research.' Times Literary Supplement `Careri has provided us with a wealth of thoroughly researched and carefully assessed information, now the onus is on us to rediscover the music itself.' Early Music Today, January/February 1994 `Enrico Careri has filled a gap with his Francesco Geminiani.'TR Early Music News

'Enrico Careri has filled a gap with his Francesco Geminiani.'TR Early Music News 'Careri has provided us with a wealth of thoroughly researched and carefully assessed information, now the onus is on us to rediscover the music itself.' Early Music Today, January/February 1994 'Careri's book gives a painstaking account of a composer who has attracted little research.' Times Literary Supplement 'Many would-be chroniclers have doubtless been deterred by the jigsaw-like nature of Geminiani's career. ... Careri's detailed study, a revised version of his own PhD thesis, succeeds in assessing effectively all these strands. ... his work represents an invaluable contribution to our knowledge of a musician who represents a vital link in the chain of Italian tradition from his likely teacher, Corelli, through to Tartini.' The Strad 'Careri has done the composer proud with this detailed study ... It is the first major monograph to deal with this composer ... as throughout this excellent volume, Careri presents conflicting viewpoints and never presses his own critical angle too heavily: the reader will build a picture for himself, and certainly be inspired to reassess this composer's music and read again his treatises.' Richard Langham Smith, Musical Times, May 1994 'It is surprising that we have had to wait so long for an authoritative account, in English, of the life and work of Francesco Geminiani, ... Careful scrutiny of Geminiani's oevre follow, with Careri, in a commendably sober and scholarly fashion, offering some penetrating insights into the concertos, the sonatas, ... his work represents an invaluable contribution to our knowledge of a musician who represents a vital link in the chain of Italian tradition from his likely teacher, Corelli, through to Tartini.' Robin Stowell. The Strad the author performs the useful service of sorting out the multiple dependencies, but he also provides some interesting insights into Geminiani's growth as a composer by analyzing his revisions, particularly his simplifications and rationalizations, in some detail. John Walter Hill, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Notes, June 1995 we must be grateful to Enrico Careri not only for several articles but also for turning his doctoral dissertation ... into a useful and readable book. Sandra Mangsen, Music & Letters

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