Giuseppe A. Brescianello (1690-1758)

Giuseppe Antonio Brescianello was born in Italy, and relatively little is known about his childhood. At some point he began taking violin lessons and eventually was brought from Venice to Munich by the Elector of Bavaria.He became musique director, maître des concerts de la chamber at the Wurtemberg court in Struttgart; the following year he was the chief Kapellmeister, writing an opera somewhat shortly after that, and in spite of hopes to gain recognition from there, he faced the general apathy of the public and later the rivalry of one Reinhard Keiser. Brescianello had aimed at bringing “the theatre taste” adequetly into this opera (La Tisbe), but it was not enough to earn him a performance.It was the loss of a position in 1737 that apparently stimulated the increase of Brescianello’s compositions… Several years later he would be reinstated thanks to generosity and fortunate circumstances, until he was later* pensioned off. Overall, thanks to his initial training on the violin, chamber works [making use of or stressing] the violin were his main compositions. And yet Brescianello managed at least six symphonies. Still, these were from the early to mid-eighteenth century (and composed by a violinist), so today they might be confused with any of his chamber music, upon a first listen. *Scant information about his childhood; we first see documentation of his early 20’s*Had studied on the violin, so he became the next [musique directeur] at the Wurttemberg court in 1716, after moving from Venice to Munich as a violinist the previous year.Began writing opera(s). Noteworthy was La Tisbe, which did not earn a performance.Faced heated battles from 1719-21 with rival Reinhard Keiser, maintained (retained) his position.Lost his post as Rath und Oberkapellmeister in 1737, spurred on to increased composition.The following year produced 12 concerti e simphonie, opus 1 and others.In 1744 his Oberkapellmeister post was restored and eventually he brought the opera & court music to renewed fame. Lasted into 1751 (or 1755—conflicting sources).Enjoy, and He Is Risen!*I realized just a bit too late that "1751/1755" in the audio doesn't quite reconcile with our Episode Description that mentions the same years for the composer's return to Oberkapellmeister post. Given that acknowledgment, you may choose to personally fact-check me on those dates and events.Applause to the listeners!