Sammartini, Giovanni Battista (c. 1700-1775)

Italian composer. He was the most important Italian symphonist of his time, and contributed much towards the founding of a modern style of instrumental music.

Sammartini spent his whole life in Milan as a church musician, and from 1730 was maestro di cappella at the convent of Santa Maria Maddelena. Gluck was his pupil 1737-41, and borrowed material from Sammartini's symphonies for two of his operas.

Works Opera two operas, including L'Agrippina, moglie di Tiberio (1743).

Choral two oratorios.

Orchestral over 80 symphonies; about 15 concertos; 6 concerti grossi.

Chamber 6 string quintets; about 20 quartets; almost 200 trios; other chamber music.

Church music three Masses; other church music.