Pietro Domenico Paradies (also Pietro Domenico Paradisi) (1707 – 25 August 1791) was an Italian
composer,
harpsichordist and music teacher, most prominently known for a composition popularly entitled "Toccata in A", which is, in other sources, the second movement of his Sonata No. 6.
A reviewer of a modern edition of his sonatas, all first edited by the composer, noted in passing "Paradies (never Paradisi, it seems)" suggesting that Paradisi might be a modern adaptation.[1]
Life and work
Paradies was born in
Naples. Probably a student of
Nicola Porpora, he dedicated himself at first to composing for the theater. He spent a few years around 1740 in Venice, where he taught and wrote music at the
Ospedali Grandi. There, he composed two semi-dramatic, occasional serenatas, including a serenata in honor of Frederick Christian, the Prince of Saxony and Heir to Poland.[2] In 1746 he moved to
London, where he became known as a teacher of harpsichord and singing; among his students was
Gertrud Elisabeth Mara, probably around 1750[3] and possibly
Thomas Linley the elder.[4] In 1770 he returned to Italy. He died in
Venice.
Instrumental and vocal music
His reputation is due to his music for the harpsichord, esteemed by music historians.
His musical style was influenced by
Alessandro and
Domenico Scarlatti. Especially celebrated above all were his twelve
sonatas for
clavicembalo (London, 1754). The Toccata in A that is still played often today is an Allegro movement from his sonata VI in
A major, which has established for itself a considerable discography, although there has been a revival of more of his music recently, at least regarding the keyboard sonatas. He was also the author of
concertos for
organ and for harpsichord, individual pieces for harpsichord, arias and
cantatas.
^Cudworth, Charles (January 1972). "Favourite Sonatas: Sonate di Gravicembalo. Band I, Sonatas 1-6; Band II, Sonatas 7-12. By Paradies, edited by Hugo Ruf; Hans Bemmann". The Musical Times. 113 (1547). London: Orpheus: 77–78.
doi:
10.2307/957662.
ISSN0027-4666.
JSTOR957662.
^Pietro Domenico Paradies, Le Muse in gara, critical edition of the music, edited by Vanessa Tonelli (Middleton, WI: A.R. Editions, 2021).