(b ?Milan, 1700/01; d there, 15 Jan 1775). Italian composer, brother of Giuseppe Sammartini. He held posts as maestro di cappella of Milan churches from 1728, and (from 1768) the ducal chapel; he was an excellent organist and teacher (his pupils probably included Gluck). By the 1740s he was the city's most famous composer and his music was gaining popularity abroad. Later he had contact in Milan with J. C. Bach, Boccherini, Mozart and others.

Sammartini was a leading figure in the development of the Classical style. His music is notable for its strong continuity, rhythmic drive and variety of structure and texture. The first master of the symphony, he wrote over 60 such works; while the earliest combine Baroque and Classical traits, the middle-period ones (c 1740-58) have an early Classical idiom, many using wind instruments (usually two horns or trumpets) as well as strings. The last symphonies point towards later styles (e.g. Mozart's). He also wrote concertos, other orchestral pieces and over 200 chamber works, including many trio sonatas. His late chamber works (notably six string quintets, 1773) are the most complex. Serious moods and expressive writing often appear in his three operas (1732-43) and his religious music, which includes oratorios, cantatas and psalms.

• over 60 syms.
• 8 solo concs. (most for vn)
• 2 ensemble concs.
• 7 orch concertinos

• 6 str qnts (1773)
• 21 qts (some for strs only)
• over 100 trios
• fl duets
• c 30 solo sonatas
• c 30 kbd sonatas

• 3 operas
• secular cantatas, arias
• miscellaneous sacred music, incl. 8 Lenten cantatas

The Concise Grove Dictionary of Music. Copyright © 1994 by Oxford University Press, Inc.. All rights reserved.