Giuseppe Martucci

Giuseppe Martucci ( born January 6, 1856 in Capua, † June 1, 1909 in Naples) was an Italian composer, pianist and conductor.

Life

Martucci was initially taught by his father, a trumpeter and military musicians, and came even as the age of eight as a pianist. From 1867 to 1871 he studied at the Conservatory of San Pietro a Maiella in Naples in Beniamino Cesi (piano) and Paolo Serrao (composition). In the following years he performed as a pianist in Italy, France and England, often with cellist Alfredo Piatti. In 1880 he was appointed professor of piano at the Conservatory of Naples, from 1886 to 1902 he was director of the Liceo Musicale in Bologna, then to take over the leadership of the Conservatory of Naples from 1902.

As a conductor to Martucci recognized for the work of Richard Wagner's one. In 1888 he conducted in Bologna, the Italian premiere of Tristan. However, he made known in Italy and instrumental music of his contemporaries from Germany, France and England. Among the students Martucci was one among others Ottorino Respighi.

Work

Martucci composed instrumental music at a time, in the Italian music scene was mainly dominated by the opera. Stylistically, he was less of Wagner, as a priority of the tradition Beethoven - from Brahms - Schumann. In addition to numerous piano pieces he composed two symphonies (op. 75, D minor, 1895; Op 81, F Major, 1904), two piano concertos (d- Moll, 1878, b - Moll, 1884 /85), an oratorio ( " Samuel " ), the orchestral songs La canzone dei ricordi cycle, an organ sonata and chamber music ( including a piano quintet and two piano trios ). Arturo Toscanini took repeated compositions Martucci in its programs; the second piano concerto repertoire was part of Anton Rubinstein and Gustav Mahler conducted it in 1911 in New York last concert before his death.