A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Nardini, Pietro
NARDINI, Pietro, an eminent violinist and composer, was born at Fibiana, a village in Tuscany, in 1722. He received his first musical instruction at Leghorn, and afterwards studied for several years under Tartini at Padua. We know nothing further of his early career. About the year 1753 he was appointed Solo-violinist at the Ducal court at Stuttgardt, where he remained for fifteen years. In 1767 he returned to Italy, settled at Leghorn, and stayed with his old master Tartini during his last illness. In 1770 he accepted an appointment as director of the music at the court of the Duke of Tuscany, and died in 1793 [App. p.728 "May 7"] at Florence.
Nardini was the most eminent of Tartini's disciples. Leopold Mozart, the best possible judge in matters of violin-playing, writes of him: 'the beauty, purity, and equality of his tone, and the tastefulness of his cantabile-playing, cannot be surpassed; but he does not execute great difficulties.' The well-known poet-musician Schubart relates in his flowery style: 'his playing brings tears into the eyes of stony-hearted courtiers nay, his own tears run down on his violin!'
That Nardini was not a mere executant, but a thorough musician, is evident from the character of his compositions for the violin. Vivacity, grace, a sweet sentimentality, are the main characteristics of his style, which is altogether more modern in form and feeling than Tartini's. His Allegros are often largely developed, and already display the full sonata-form, while his slow movements are not unlike Viotti's. If nevertheless the greater part of his works appear to us old-fashioned and antiquated compared with those of Tartini, the reason is, that he has neither the depth of feeling, the grand pathos, nor the concentrated energy of his great master.
His published compositions (according to Fétis) are: 6 Concertos, op. 1 (Amsterdam); 6 Sonatas pour violon et bassi, op. 2 (Berlin, 1765; a new edition published by Cartier, Paris); 6 Trios pour flute (London); 6 Solos pour violon, op. 5 (London); 6 Quartets (Florence, 1782); 6 Duos pour deux violons (Paris).
Some of his sonatas have latterly been re-edited by Alard and F. David.