Jean Paul Egide Martini
Encyclopedia
Jean Paul Egide Martini, (August 31, 1741 – February 10, 1816) was a composer of classical music. Sometimes known as Martini Il Tedesco, he is best known today for the vocal romance "Plaisir d'Amour
," on which the 1961 Elvis Presley
standard "Can't Help Falling in Love
" is based. He is sometimes referred to as Giovanni Martini, which has resulted in a confusion with Giovanni Battista Martini
, particularly with regard to the composition Plaisir d'Amour
.
Martini was born Johann Paul Aegidius Schwarzendorf in Freystadt
, Bavaria
. He adopted the family name Martini after moving to France
as a young man. There, he established a successful career as a court musician. Having directed concerts for the Queen
he adapted to the changing regimes throughout the French Revolution
, and later wrote music for Napoleon's marriage as well as for the restored Royal Chapel. In 1764, he married Marguerite Camelot. His melodic opera L'amoureux de quinze ans written in 1771 enjoyed great success. In addition, his highly popular church music combined old forms with modern theatricality, and his chansons including "Plaisir D'Amour" were influential. In 1800 he became professor of composition at the Paris Conservatoire. He died in Paris
in February of 1816.
Plaisir d'Amour
"Plaisir d'amour" is a classical French love song written in 1780 by Jean Paul Égide Martini . Hector Berlioz arranged it for orchestra...
," on which the 1961 Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
standard "Can't Help Falling in Love
Can't Help Falling in Love
"Can't Help Falling in Love" is a pop song originally recorded by American singer Elvis Presley and published by Gladys Music, Elvis Presley's publishing company. It was written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss. The melody was based on "Plaisir d'Amour" but with a different...
" is based. He is sometimes referred to as Giovanni Martini, which has resulted in a confusion with Giovanni Battista Martini
Giovanni Battista Martini
Giovanni Battista Martini , also known as Padre Martini, was an Italian musician.-Biography:Martini was born at Bologna....
, particularly with regard to the composition Plaisir d'Amour
Plaisir d'Amour
"Plaisir d'amour" is a classical French love song written in 1780 by Jean Paul Égide Martini . Hector Berlioz arranged it for orchestra...
.
Martini was born Johann Paul Aegidius Schwarzendorf in Freystadt
Freystadt
Freystadt is a town in the district of Neumarkt in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated near the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, 14 km southwest of Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, and 33 km southeast of Nuremberg....
, Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
. He adopted the family name Martini after moving to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
as a young man. There, he established a successful career as a court musician. Having directed concerts for the Queen
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette ; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was an Archduchess of Austria and the Queen of France and of Navarre. She was the fifteenth and penultimate child of Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I....
he adapted to the changing regimes throughout the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, and later wrote music for Napoleon's marriage as well as for the restored Royal Chapel. In 1764, he married Marguerite Camelot. His melodic opera L'amoureux de quinze ans written in 1771 enjoyed great success. In addition, his highly popular church music combined old forms with modern theatricality, and his chansons including "Plaisir D'Amour" were influential. In 1800 he became professor of composition at the Paris Conservatoire. He died in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in February of 1816.
List of works
- Annette and Lubin (opera)
- L'amoureux de quinze ans, ou La double fête (1771)
- Le Droit du Seigneur (1783)
- Plaisir d'amour, song (1784)
- "Prière pour le Roi", political song (1793)
- Scene héroïque pour Napoléon (1814)
Sources
- "Jean Paul Martini" in "Classical Music," ed. John Burrows. DK Publishing, Inc: New York, 2005.