He was a Baroque composer, violinist, painter and poet who was given the nickname Straccioncino, translated to Little Ragamuffin, born in Italy. He took studies in Rome from 1692to 1697 where he was taught by the composer Giovanni Bononcini.
In 1710 he served Prince Michelangelo Caetai in Rome as Suonator di Violino, e Componitore di Musica and remained in that position until 1727.
Also in 1710 he became Director of the Concertino at San Luigi dei Francesi where he was the composer Arcangelo Corelli’s successor. He continued there until 1741.
His Italian baroque compositions were published during his lifetime, but he didn’t seem to achieve the same attention as composers of the time, such as Locatelli, Corelli and Vivaldi and others.
His works include the operas La fina rapita and La constanza in amore, the oratorios Cantata per la nativita della Beatissima Vergine (Son l’origine di tutti) and Cantata in lode di Benedetto XIII (Amica e cara fede) and instrumental works that included sinfonias, concertos and sonatas.
His compositions have been recorded by many artists and ensembles including Aura Musicale, Concerto Koln, Ensemble 415, the Italian Chamber Orchestra, Edgar Lustgarten, Musica Antiqua Koln, the New York Harp Ensemble, Northwest Chamber Ensemble, Janos Starker and Virtuosi Di Roma among many others.
New York Harp Ensemble recordings
Sinfonia a tre, per il santissimo Natale, Op. No. 12 “Christmas Symphony”
Musical Heritage Society MHS 4610 (A Pastoral Christmas)
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Valentini
- https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/composers/3243–valentini-giuseppe
- https://www.editionhh.co.uk/ab_gvl.htm
- https://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Valentini,_Giuseppe
- https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/c.asp?c=C609
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/1697118-Giuseppe-Valentini
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/giuseppe-valentini-mn0001572694/biography
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/giuseppe-valentini-mn0001572694/credits