Lodovico Giustini

Full biography Lodovico Giustini

Lodovico Giustini (1685-1743) was an Italian composer and keyboard player from Pistoia, Tuscany. He is best known for his collection of sonatas for harpsichord, which are considered to be some of the earliest examples of keyboard music composed specifically for an instrument with more than one manual.

Giustini was born into a musical family and received his early musical training at the Pistoia Cathedral. He later studied harpsichord and composition in Florence with Francesco Gasparini, who was also the teacher of Johann Joachim Quantz.

Giustini's most famous work is his collection of twelve sonatas for harpsichord, published in 1732. These works were groundbreaking in their use of multiple manuals, which allowed the player to create a wide range of dynamic contrast by playing one manual louder than the other. They also marked a departure from the traditional Italian sonata form, with Giustini incorporating elements of the French suite style into his compositions.

In addition to his music, Giustini was also known for his expertise in keyboard tuning and temperament, and he published a treatise on the subject in 1732. This work provided detailed instructions on how to tune a harpsichord and how to choose the right temperament for different types of music.

Giustini's music had a significant influence on the development of keyboard music in Italy and throughout Europe, and his pioneering use of multiple manuals on the harpsichord paved the way for future keyboard innovations. Today, he is widely regarded as one of the most important and innovative composers of the early 18th century.