Lesser-Known Composer of the Month: Giovanni Maria Cambini

Wait, Who?

Cambini was an Italian violinist and composer who spent much of his career in France.  Little is known about him until his arrival in Paris in the 1770s, but he established himself as a prolific composer and exponent of the French galant style who remained popular through the Revolution. 

His popularity began to decline in the 1790s and critics (particularly German ones) began treating his works harshly.  In his later career his interests turned more to writing treatises on music, and by 1810 he had largely disappeared from the public eye.  The exact date and place of his death remains subject to debate.

For more information, see his article in Grove.

Cambini was a prolific writer of instrumental music for the Parisian concert scene, although many of his works have been lost. 

His output includes several symphonies and solo concertos, mostly for violin or piano, and over 80 symphonies concertantes for two, three, or four instruments (for the most part various combinations of strings).  He also produced a great many chamber works for strings or winds, so much so that he was actually criticized for publishing too much.

His vocal works include songs in support of the French Revolution as well as sacred and dramatic works.  Although he is known to have written at least 14 operas, only two survive.