Sonata Prima

Pier Giuseppe Sandoni (Bologna, 30 July 1683 - Bologna, 16 August 1748).
Sandoni studied music under the guidance of Francesco Antonio Salardi for organ and harpsichord lessons, by Angelo Predieri and Giovanni Bononcini for counterpoint, and already at the age of thirteen he played as an organist at San Giacomo in Bologna.
In 1700 he was welcomed into the Accademia Filarmonica, first as a player, two years later as a composer and from 1706 with managerial positions. He also composed hymns and motets in the celebrations of academic celebrations.
In the first decade of the eighteenth century he distinguished himself for a series of speakers dedicated to his city and for the beginnings as an opera with Artaserse (Verona, 1709).
In the same year and until 1731, Sandoni obtained the title of maestro di cappella of Antonio Farnese and carried out an intense activity as a teacher, having as students, among others, Sicinio Pepoli, Angelo Laurenti and Carlo Peretti
He was a much appreciated and applauded composer for his works in Italian, German and Austrian theaters.
Around 1716 he moved to London, where for a decade he played in the orchestra of the Royal Academy of Music, directed in those years by Händel, and where he met the famous singer Francesca Cuzzoni, whom he married around 1725.
He participated in the controversy that arose between the supporters of Händel and those of Bononcini.
After his London stay, Sandoni moved first to Lunéville, then to Munich, to Vienna and finally returned to Italy, to follow his wife's tour.
He played again in London with the Opera of the Nobility, before separating from his wife and living the last few years in Bologna active especially for the academic leadership positions.
From a musical point of view, he was compared to Händel for his great ability to improvise, for his technical concert performances and for the quality of his chamber compositions.
His compositions include: Sonatas and Suites for harpsichord, Minuets and Sonatas for