Francesco Geminiani
An Italian violinist whose fiery performances and influential treatises made him a towering, if now overlooked, figure of the Baroque era.
1687–1762 (age 75)·Italian composer and violinist·Birthday: December 5
Biography
Born in Lucca, Francesco Geminiani studied under Corelli in Rome before his virtuosic violin playing, noted for its intense passion and technical daring, caused a sensation in London. More than a performer, he became a crucial musical thinker, publishing 'The Art of Playing on the Violin' in 1751, a work that codified ornamentation and technique for generations. His compositions, particularly the concerti grossi that reworked Corelli's trio sonatas, were celebrated for their dramatic flair and complexity. While his fame was immense during his lifetime, rivaling Handel's, his restless life—which included a stint in debtors' prison and years in Dublin—and the shifting tides of musical taste led to his eclipse after death. Today, he is recognized not just as a composer but as a pivotal transmitter of the Italian violin tradition to Northern Europe.
#1 When Francesco Was Born
The biggest hits of 1687
Francesco's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1687Born
1692Started school
1700Became a teenager
1703Could drive
1705Could vote
1708Turned 21
1717Turned 30
1727Turned 40
1737Turned 50
1747Turned 60
1757Turned 70
1762Died at 75
Key Achievements
- Published 'The Art of Playing on the Violin' (1751), the first comprehensive violin method and a foundational text of Baroque performance practice.
- Composed influential concerti grossi, notably his Op. 3, which expanded the dramatic potential of the form.
- Served as a key bridge for Italian Baroque music, particularly Corelli's style, to audiences in England and Ireland.
Did You Know?
He was reportedly so nervous during performances that he would play with his eyes closed.
King George I granted him a special privilege of protection from arrest for debt.
Many of his published works are elaborate arrangements of other composers' pieces, particularly Corelli's.
“The true art of playing the violin consists in giving life and spirit to the notes.”
