Guiseppe Tartini (1692-1770) was an Italian violinist, music theorist and composer from Venice. Tartini wrote almost exclusively for the violin, with over 135 violin concertos.  His most famous composition is still the Devil’s Trill Sonata, which he probably composed in 1713.  There is no existing manuscript to the Sonata; the earliest manuscript is from 1743, and it's unclear who the source of this manuscript is.

Tartini is mentioned in Madame Blavatsky’s "The Ensouled Violin", a short story included in the collection Nightmare Tales. Blavatsky wrote:

“Tartini, the great composer and violinist of the seventeenth century, was denounced as one who got his best inspirations from the Evil One, with whom he was, it was said, in regular league. This accusation was, of course, due to the almost magical impression he produced upon his audiences. His inspired performance on the violin secured for him in his native country the title of "Master of Nations". The Sonate du Diable, also called "Tartini's Dream" — as every one who has heard it will be ready to testify — is the most weird melody ever heard or invented: hence, the marvellous composition has become the source of endless legends. Nor were they entirely baseless, since it was he, himself; who was shown to have originated them. Tartini confessed to having written it on awakening from a dream, in which he had heard his sonata performed by Satan, for his benefit, and in consequence of a bargain made with his infernal majesty.”