Pedro António Avondano (1714-1782) - Sonata em Do Maior
Performers: Rosana Lanzеlοttе (harpsichord)
Further info: Pedro Antonio Avondano (1714-1782) - Cravo Sonatas
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Portuguese composer and violinist. The son of a Genoese-born violinist,
he probably received his earliest musical education from his father and
later probably also studied under Domenico Scarlatti. Much of the
information concerning his education and training is unknown due to the
destruction of documents in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, but it is known
that he was commissioned by the theatre in Macerata, Italy, to compose
an opera, Berenice, in 1742. By 1764 he was appointed as principal
violinist of the Royal Chamber, a post he held until his death. During
this time, he wrote a substantial number of dances for the court, as
well as a popular opera, 'Il mondo della luna', and a pair of oratorios
in 1770, 'Il voto di Jefte' and 'Adamo ed Eva'. He also composed a large
number of sacred works, including Masses, a Te Deum, Psalms, and other
smaller works, in addition to keyboard sonatas and two symphonies. Other
members of the Avondano family, all active in the Real Câmara, include
his brother António José Avondano (c.1715-1783) and his son Joaquim
Pedro Avondano (c.1760-1804), João Francisco Avondano (1713-1794),
Joaquim António Avondano (?-1828) and João Baptista Andre Avondano (fl.
1769-1801), who published a set of Quattro sonate e due duetti for two
cellos (c.1784) and was a pupil of Jean Pierre Duport.
