Sonata for Two Flutes in G

Geminiani’s Italian contemporary, Giuseppe Sammartini (1695-1750) is remembered today for helping raise the level of woodwind playing far beyond what had been achieved previously. About 250 pieces survive, but Sammartini likely wrote more than twice that in total. Along with his brother Giovanni, Sammartini or “San Martini” was an accomplished organist and wind player whose fame spread far beyond his native Milan. Both men helped drive the stylistic change from the concerto/sonata Baroque era to the symphonic interests of the Classical. (Indeed, their styles are so similar that determining precise authorship has become something of a challenge.) Giuseppe spent most of his career in London in the service of Frederick, Prince of Wales, for whom the 12 Opus 1 sonatas were written. That set includes a G-major Sonata for Two Flutes published in London in 1736, and the performers this evening play from a facsimile copy of that early print.

(c) Jason Stell