Pietro Nardini

Italian violinist Pietro Nardini was one of the most famous performers of his generation. He was known for his distinctively expressive style and for his association with Giuseppe Tartini. Born in 1722 to a modest family in Livorno, Italy, he began playing the violin as a child, initially learning from a local violinist in his hometown. Then he studied with Tartini from 1734 to 1740 and became his favorite student. During this time, Nardini developed his reputation as a performer, and he began teaching violin lessons. After completing his studies with Tartini, he continued teaching and performing, and he traveled extensively. From 1760 to 1766 his career was centered in Germany, where he was mainly employed by the Ducal Court in Stuttgart. He participated in the wedding festivities of Prince Joseph II in 1760, and from 1762 to 1765 he served as concert master for the court orchestra conducted by Niccolo Jommelli. Three years later, he was employed in Florence at the court chapel of Leopold of Tuscany. This came to an end in 1769, when Nardini returned to Padua to care for the deathly ill Tartini, who passed away the following February from gangrene. It was also around this time when he met the young Wolfgang Mozart, who was visiting Italy for the first time. Shortly after Tartini's death, Nardini accepted the position of music director for the court in Florence, and he remained there for 23 years. Additionally, he gave solo performances, violin lessons, and taught composition until his final years. Some of his more notable students include Niccolo Cambini, Gaetano Brunetti, and Thomas Linley (The Younger). Both Nardini and Paganini were known as the most accomplished violinists of their eras, and critics commonly disagreed on who was the best. However, it was generally accepted that Nardini was the best at playing expressively, while Paganini was the most skilled at technically challenging music. The revered Leopold Mozart even commented favorably on Nardini's playing, declaring that his tone was beautiful and pure. In addition to performing and teaching, Nardini also composed several violin sonatas, concertos, and other chamber music. His violin sonatas all have the characteristic slow-fast-fast structure, which he borrowed from Tartini. They have since become very popular pieces for violin students, with lyrical melodies and relatively easy technical considerations.
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