Tutored by Greats
Donald Macleod explores the building where Martines lived alongside Metastasio and Haydn.
Donald Macleod explores the building where Martines lived alongside Metastasio and Haydn.
Marianna Martines lived and worked in Vienna among some of classical music’s greatest names. She was tutored by Haydn, played piano duets with Mozart, corresponded with Padre Martini and Farinelli, and was frequently invited to perform for the Imperial Court. For nearly 40 years, she was mentored by Metastasio, Europe’s most celebrated opera librettist. Martines became a significant personality in Viennese cultural circles with her works regularly performed in the city, and commissions and honours coming her way from across Europe. All this week, Donald Macleod is joined by Dr Jeremy Llewellyn to lift the veil on this long neglected yet prolific and highly celebrated composer and discover the unique perspective her story provides on cultural life in Vienna during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The Martines family lived on the third floor of the Altes Michaelerhaus, alongside the famous poet Metastasio. The writer arranged for a young man who was living in the attic of the same building to give her music lessons. Neither of them could have known then that her teacher, Joseph Haydn, would eventually become the most famous composer in Europe. There was a stream of visitors to the house to see Metastasio, including another prominent music, Antonio Salieri, who was soon taking lessons in declamation from the poet. It is probable that Salieri and Martines were tutored by Metastasio together. The Mozarts also visited the Altes Michaelerhaus, and it has been suggested that one of Wolfgang Mozart’s early sacred works, is based on music by Marianna Martines.
Sonata in A for harpsichord
Nicoleta Paraschivescu, harpsichord
WA Mozart
Missa solemnis in C minor, K139
Barbara Bonney soprano
Jadwiga Rappé, alto
Josef Protschka, tenor
Håkan Hagegård, bass
Arnold Schönberg Choir
Concentus Musicus Wien
Nikolaus Harnoncourt, director
Marianna Martines
Bernice, ah che fai
Núria Rial, soprano
La Floridiana
Nicoleta Paraschivescu, director
Overture in C
Â鶹ԼÅÄ Concert Orchestra
Johannes Widner, conductor
Produced by Luke Whitlock, for Â鶹ԼÅÄ Wales
Last on
Music Played
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Marianne Martines
Sonata in A for harpsichord
Performer: Nicoleta Paraschivescu.- Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 88697885792.
- Deutsche Harmonia Mundi.
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Missa solemnis in C minor, K139
Singer: Barbara Bonney. Singer: Jadwiga Rappé. Singer: Josef Protschka. Singer: Håkan Hagegård. Choir: Arnold Schoenberg Chor. Ensemble: Concentus Musicus Vienna. Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt.- TELDEC : 2292-44180-6.
- TELDEC.
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Marianne Martines
Bernice, ah che fai
Singer: Núria Rial. Ensemble: La Floridiana. Director: Nicoleta Paraschivescu.- DEUTSCHE HM : 88697885792.
- DEUTSCHE HM.
- 14.
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Marianne Martines
Overture in C
Orchestra: Â鶹ԼÅÄ Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Johannes Wildner.
Broadcasts
- Tue 25 Jan 2022 12:00Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 3
- Tue 23 Apr 2024 16:00Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 3
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