Giovanni Antonio Guido (c.1675-1729) - Concerto 'Le Printemps' a 6 des 'Scherzi armonici sopra le quattro
staggioni dell'anno, concerti a 3 violoni, flauti, hautbois, cimbalo,
bassi di viola e violoncello'
... opera terza (Versailles, n.d.)
Performers: La Strаvаgаnzа Köln
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Italian violinist and composer mainly active in France. He was probably
born in Genoa and from 1683 he studied violin at the conservatory in
Naples. From 1702 he was in Paris at the service of the Duke of Orleans,
where he remained until at least 1729. There is an account of a concert
performed at Fontainebleau in front of the English Queen Anne in
November 1703, where Guido is referred to as an excellent violinist in
the service of the Duke of Orleans, a supporter of Italian music.
Through his connection with the Duchess du Maine Sceaux, a favourite of
Louis XIV, he gained the attention of the King. In 1707 he was granted a
'privilège général' enabling him to publish his works. That year a
collection of six motets was printed in Paris and, a few years later,
two sonatas for two violins and basso continuo were published. From 1714
to 1724 he took part in concerts organized in the home of the financier
P. Crozat. These evenings were attended by writers, artists, musicians,
as well as members of the aristocracy, including the Duke of Orleans.
Among these was Jean-Antoine Watteau who painted some of those present
at the concerts including Guido whose portrait dated 30 September 1720.
There is no known information about Guido after 1729 and the place and
date of his death is unknown. Giovanni Antonio Guido had greater fame as
a violinist than as a composer, but in his compositions he was able to
combine the Italian style with the French. It is not known when he wrote
his famous 'Scherzi armonici sopra le 4 staggioni dell’anno' but they
were certainly very popular in France.
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