Nicola Matteis
Encyclopedia
Nicola Matteis (fl. c. 1670 – c. 1698) was a leading Baroque
violin
ist in London
and a composer of significant popularity in his time.
Very little is known of his early life, although Matteis was probably born in Naples, describing himself as 'Napolitano' in several of his works. He came to in London in the early 1670s and had a merchant
as a sponsor, who schooled him in the ways of currying favor from the gentry (by allowing them to accompany him in parlor recital
s and other minor performances). He enjoyed great artistic and commercial success with his published music, but is said to have ended his days in ill health and poverty.
Matteis is credited with changing the English taste for violin playing from the French
style to a newer, Italian
one. Contemporaries described him as using a longer bow, with a new bow hold (closer to that used by modern players). His reputation grew through his lifetime and resulted in high praise for his live performances (in concert, audiences were often certain that more than one violin was being played) and widespread popularity for his music. Knowing many of his customers were amateur
s, Matteis tended to give precise instructions with his published music, providing detailed notes on bowing
, explanations of ornaments
, tempo
s, and other directions. These notes have proved valuable resources for scholars reconstructing the performance practices of the time.
Baroque music
Baroque music describes a style of Western Classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1760. This era follows the Renaissance and was followed in turn by the Classical era...
violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and a composer of significant popularity in his time.
Very little is known of his early life, although Matteis was probably born in Naples, describing himself as 'Napolitano' in several of his works. He came to in London in the early 1670s and had a merchant
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
as a sponsor, who schooled him in the ways of currying favor from the gentry (by allowing them to accompany him in parlor recital
Recital
A recital is a musical performance. It can highlight a single performer, sometimes accompanied by piano, or a performance of the works of a single composer.The invention of the solo piano recital has been attributed to Franz Liszt....
s and other minor performances). He enjoyed great artistic and commercial success with his published music, but is said to have ended his days in ill health and poverty.
Matteis is credited with changing the English taste for violin playing from the French
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...
style to a newer, Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
one. Contemporaries described him as using a longer bow, with a new bow hold (closer to that used by modern players). His reputation grew through his lifetime and resulted in high praise for his live performances (in concert, audiences were often certain that more than one violin was being played) and widespread popularity for his music. Knowing many of his customers were amateur
Amateur
An amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without pay and often without formal training....
s, Matteis tended to give precise instructions with his published music, providing detailed notes on bowing
Bow (music)
In music, a bow is moved across some part of a musical instrument, causing vibration which the instrument emits as sound. The vast majority of bows are used with string instruments, although some bows are used with musical saws and other bowed idiophones....
, explanations of ornaments
Ornament (music)
In music, ornaments or embellishments are musical flourishes that are not necessary to carry the overall line of the melody , but serve instead to decorate or "ornament" that line. Many ornaments are performed as "fast notes" around a central note...
, tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
s, and other directions. These notes have proved valuable resources for scholars reconstructing the performance practices of the time.
Sources
- Haynes, Bruce. "The End of Early Music: A Period Performer's History of Music for the Twenty-First Century" (2007) Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195189876.
- Bukofzer, Manfred F. "Music In The Baroque Era - From Monteverdi To Bach" (2007) Von Elterlein Press. ISBN 1406739332.