Composed: Unknown
Premiered: Unknown
Duration: 12 minutes
Martines’ significant musical gifts were recognized at an early age, and were fostered by major figures such as the poet known as Metastasio (a close friend of her family) and composer Nicola Porpora. She received a broader general education than women of the period normally would. Early on, she took keyboard lessons with the young Joseph Haydn, who also accompanied her as she sang. She performed frequently for Austrian Empress Maria Theresa at the Imperial Court, and played keyboard duets with Mozart (who composed a piece for them to perform together). Surviving compositions include choral works, sonatas, and concertos for harpsichord, and a single symphony, the attractive work you will hear at this concert.
Program note by Don Anderson © 2022