Pietro Domenico Paradisi

Pietro Domenico Paradisi (also Pier Domenico Paradies) (1707 – August 25, 1791), was an Italian composer, harpsichordist and harpsichord teacher, most prominently known for a composition popularly entitled "Toccata in A".

A reviewer of a modern edition of his sonatas, all first edited by the composer, noted in passing "Paradies (never Paradisi, it seems)" suggesting that Paradisi might be a modern adaptation. ^[1]

Life and work

Paradisi was born in Naples. Probably a student of Nicola Porpora, he dedicated himself at first to composing for the theater. In 1746 he moved to London, where he became known as a teacher of harpsichord and singing; among his students was Gertrud Elisabeth Mara, probably around 1750.^[2] In 1770 he returned to Italy. He died in Venice.

Instrumental and vocal music

His reputation is due to his music for the harpsichord, esteemed by music historians.

His musical style was influenced by Alessandro and Domenico Scarlatti. Especially celebrated above all were his twelve sonatas for clavicembalo (London, 1754). The Toccata in A that is still played often today is an Allegro movement from his sonata VI in A major, which has established for itself a considerable discography, although there has been a revival of more of his music recently, at least regarding the keyboard sonatas. He was also the author of concertos for organ and for harpsichord, individual pieces for harpsichord, arias and cantatas.

Dramatic music

(Year produced, place, name)

• 1738 Lucca - Alessandro in Persia
• 1740 Venice - Il Decreto del Fato (The Decrees of Fate)
• 1740 Venice - Le Muse in gara
• 1747 London - Fetonte
• 1751 London - La forza d'amore
• Antioco

External links

1. ^ Cudworth, Charles (January 1972). "Favourite Sonatas: Sonate di Gravicembalo. Band I, Sonatas 1-6; Band II, Sonatas 7-12. By Paradies, edited by Hugo Ruf; Hans Bemmann". The Musical Times (London: Orpheus) 113 (1547): 77–78. ISSN 0027-4666. JSTOR 957662. 
2. ^ Irielov, Ikvat. "Biography of Gertrud Elisabeth Mara". ODB Opéra. http://odb-opera.com/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=152. Retrieved 2007-11-20. 

• Sanders, Donald C. (Spring, 2004). "Sunday music: the sonatas of Domenico Paradies". The Musical Times (London: Orpheus) 145 (1886): 68–74. doi:10.2307/4149095. JSTOR 4149095. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3870/is_200404/ai_n9408168. 
• Short bio at Move record label site
• Free scores by Pietro Domenico Paradisi in the Werner Icking Music Archive (WIMA)
• Free scores by Pietro Domenico Paradies at the International Music Score Library Project
• The famous Toccata in A, played in different temperaments: meantone, Kirnberger III, just intonation and 31 equal temperament.

Persondata
Name	Paradisi, Pietro
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1707
Place of birth
Date of death	August 25, 1791
Place of death