Carlo Antonio Campioni

Full biography Carlo Antonio Campioni

Carlo Antonio Campioni (1720-1788) was a French-Italian composer born in Lorraine, France. He was admired for his instrumental music and was recognized for his contributions to the development of the violin and harpsichord sonata.

Campioni was known for his fondness for the fugal middle movement that later became popular with sonata composers. He also wrote masses and other liturgical music. His music is often characterized by lively melodies and rhythmic energy, demonstrating his talent for instrumental composition.

Campioni's musical career flourished in the mid-18th century, and he composed extensively for the harpsichord and the violin. His 6 Harpsichord Sonatas Op. 4B is a notable collection of his works. The young amateur violinist Thomas Jefferson, who later became a US President, was said to have owned a London edition of this collection.

In addition to his compositions, Campioni was also known to have been an accomplished violinist. He performed in Venice in 1747 and in London's Drury Lane Theater in the 1750s. Though his music is not as widely known as other composers of his time, Campioni’s contribution to the classical music genre is significant. His music is still performed today by modern ensembles and musicians.