He was one
of the greatest violinists of 18th century, a violin virtuoso and prolific
composer. He is famous for his technical innovations and his influence on
Haydn, Mozart and many other musicians. His musical creation is full of
harmonious improvements, and his music is expressive, warm and melodic,
sometimes enriched with Istrian melodies; his construction of music phrases was
often inspired by poetic lyrics, for example by Paolo Rolli and Pietro
Metastasi, which Tartini used in encrypted language.
He was an
innovator in his school, which he created in 1727 and which was active for over
thirty years. Due to the varied backgrounds of his students, who came from
different European countries, the school was named the School of Nations
(Scuola delle nazioni) and he the Teacher of Nations (Maestro delle Nazioni).
The relationship between teacher and students was modern: the young students
didn’t live with their teacher, they had a binding contract, and they could
choose from a range of classes, which varied in duration.
His pieces
of music stand out in 18th century composition and reveal the composer’s very
rich inner and spiritual world. Even in his lifetime, he was known for his
ability to make an instrument “sing”. He is also deserving of a mention for the
vital improvement of the violin bow, which he lengthened, introducing thicker
strings and changing the player’s posture. His technical changes improved the
sound and tone of the instrument.
Just as he
followed his heart in life, he sought in music an expression that would be the
closest to “the message of nature". He composed music that is simple yet
complex, music that stirs primal and deep feelings.