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.