Frescobaldi, Girolamo (1583-1643)

Italian composer and virtuoso keyboard player. He was organist at St Peter's Cathedral, Rome, in 1608-28. His compositions included various forms of both instrumental and vocal music, and his fame rests on numerous keyboard toccatas, fugues, ricercari, and capriccios in which he advanced keyboard technique and used clever and daring modulations of key.

He studied in Ferrara under the cathedral organist Luzzasco Luzzaschi, and first gained a reputation as a singer. It was reported that 20,000 people came to hear his first recital at St Peter's in Rome. He was given leave of absence in 1628-33, during which time he served as organist to Ferdinand II, Duke of Tuscany. He also worked in Brussels, Mantua, and Florence. Johann Froberger was among his pupils. Bach owned a copy of his Fiori musicali (1635); it contains various pieces for use in the Mass.

Works two Masses, a Magnificat, motets and madrigals; ricercari, canzoni, toccatas, and other pieces for organ and for harpsichord; fantasies for instruments in four parts.