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Giuseppe Cambini

Three Trios for Violin, Viola and Violoncello, Op.2

Giuseppe Cambini (1746–1825) was born in the Italian town of Livorno, Surprisingly little is known of his life, given that he and his music was immensely popular in Paris during the 1770’s and 1780’s where he was then living. Much of what we know of Cambini’s early life comes from his own account, which he almost certainly embellished. He claimed to have studied the violin with Filippo Manfredi and that he was the violist in a quartet which included Pietro Nardini on first violin and Luigi Boccherini on cello. He made Mozart’s acquaintance in Paris when the latter was touring there but most likely did know Haydn whom he claimed was a friend of his. Cambini emigrated to Paris in the early 1770’s. There, his music was extremely well received and he began cranking out works with great rapidity. He wrote more than 80 symphonies, fourteen operas and 150 string quartets as well as numerous trios, quintets etc. One might almost conclude that he had a factory full of elves working away for him.

It is thought that he wrote as many as 145 string trios, thirty six of which were for violin, viola and cello. The opus numbers to Cambini's works, like those of several other prolific composers from this period, have no meaning. The Op.2 trios were certainly not his second work. It was the opus number given to them by his first publisher. Another publisher years later assigned the Op.33. Unlike many of his other works which he cranked out at great speed to satisfy demand, these trios were carefully put together around the time Cambini moved to Paris. They were designed to serve as an introduction for the Parisian public in an attempt to interest them in his works. Amateur players in Paris, the main market for composers, were not interested in complex works, but desired works which were easy to grasp, elegant, having cantilena qualities and galant characteristics. These are the very qualities which can be found in the Op.2 trios, which are written in a concertante style, in which each voice receives solos.

We have reprinted the original 1770 edition. As one might expect of paper that is 250 years old, the copy is not pristine like a newly published work. While we have spent considerable time cleaning the deritus, here and there you will find specs which in no way interfere with performance. These are pleasant works, good enough for concert as well as home music makers.

Parts: $19.95