Martini, Giovanni Battista (or Giambattista, known as Padre Martini) (1706–1784)

Italian priest, theorist, teacher, and composer. As the most famous teacher and theorist of his time he attracted many distinguished pupils, including Mozart, and corresponded with musicians throughout Europe. His most important works are Storia della musica, the unfinished history of music in three volumes 1757–81, and Saggio di contrappunto, a treatise on counterpoint 1773–75.

He was born at Bologna, and received a thorough education from his father and others in violin, harpsichord, singing, and composition. He entered the Franciscan Order in 1721, was ordained priest in 1729, and was appointed maestro di cappella of San Francesco, Bologna in 1725, after which he rarely left his home town. He collected a vast musical and scientific library, and was a prolific composer of sacred vocal music.

Works about 1,500 works, with about 1,000 canons;

Oratorio L'assunzione di Salomone (1734), San Pietro, Il sacrificio d'Abramo.

Other about 32 Masses, motets, psalm settings and other church music; stage works; keyboard works.