Giuseppe Besozzi

Full biography Giuseppe Besozzi

Giuseppe Besozzi was an Italian oboist and composer born in 1686 in Milan, Italy. He was a member of a large musical family which included his father, a bassoonist, and his brother, Giovanni Battista Besozzi, who also played the oboe and later became a composer.

Besozzi was a musician at the court of the Duke of Parma and Piacenza in Italy. He played in the orchestra and was also responsible for teaching the ducal children and young musicians in the court. He was known for his virtuosity on the oboe and was particularly skilled at playing high notes. He also developed a new fingering system for the oboe, which made it easier to play fast passages.

Besozzi's compositions include concertos, sonatas, and chamber music, many of which feature the oboe. He wrote for both solo instruments and small ensembles and was known for his use of counterpoint and harmonies. His most famous works include six sonatas for oboe and continuo and several concertos for oboe and orchestra.

Besozzi had a significant influence on the development of oboe playing and composition during the Baroque era. His innovative fingering system and virtuosity on the instrument paved the way for other composers and performers to explore the capabilities of the oboe. Besozzi died in 1762 in Parma, Italy, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most important oboists and composers of his time.