Musician. Born in Piran, Italy, he studied violin and composition at the University of Padua. At age 18 he eloped with Elizabeth Premazone, a fellow music student who also happened to be the niece of Cardinal Giorgio, the Bishop of Padua. They kept their marriage a secret for three years, but once discovered the Cardinal ordered Tartini's arrest for abduction. He fled to Rome and sought sanctuary in a monastery, while his wife was packed off to a convent. Two years later he was pardoned and the couple were reunited, but they did not return to Padua until 1721. Tartini conducted the orchestra at St. Anthony's Church from 1721 to 1765, and in 1728 he founded a violin school in Padua that drew students from all over Europe. In 1740 he had to give up the violin after injuring his hand in a fencing match, and concentrated on composing. His musical output includes 130 violin concertos and over 200 chamber pieces, but his fame rests on one work in particular: the hair-raising "Devil's Trill" Sonata for Violin. Tartini claimed it came to him in a dream in which he handed his violin over to Satan. This diabolically difficult sonata is still a favorite with violin virtuosos.
Musician. Born in Piran, Italy, he studied violin and composition at the University of Padua. At age 18 he eloped with Elizabeth Premazone, a fellow music student who also happened to be the niece of Cardinal Giorgio, the Bishop of Padua. They kept their marriage a secret for three years, but once discovered the Cardinal ordered Tartini's arrest for abduction. He fled to Rome and sought sanctuary in a monastery, while his wife was packed off to a convent. Two years later he was pardoned and the couple were reunited, but they did not return to Padua until 1721. Tartini conducted the orchestra at St. Anthony's Church from 1721 to 1765, and in 1728 he founded a violin school in Padua that drew students from all over Europe. In 1740 he had to give up the violin after injuring his hand in a fencing match, and concentrated on composing. His musical output includes 130 violin concertos and over 200 chamber pieces, but his fame rests on one work in particular: the hair-raising "Devil's Trill" Sonata for Violin. Tartini claimed it came to him in a dream in which he handed his violin over to Satan. This diabolically difficult sonata is still a favorite with violin virtuosos.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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