Francesco Manfredini

Born on 22 June 1684 in Pistoia, Tuscany, Francesco Onofrio Manfredini was the father of composer, Vincenzo Manfredini (1737-99). Much of Francesco's oeuvre is thought to have been destroyed, there little more than 43 published works and manuscripts surviving. The only accessible source of which I know which yields something like a directory of works is Wikipedia listing nine instrumental works including concerti, sonatas and church symphonies from 1704 to 1764 and nine oratori from 1725 to 1734. Among the more obscure composers, what few of his works in circulation are nevertheless widely available. There has been no stampede over the years regarding his genius as a composer though he did, no doubt, write some nice pieces of music not to be despised.

Manfredini studied violin in Bologna under Giuseppe Torelli and composition under Giacomo Perti at the Basilica of San Petronio. About 1700 he joined the orchestra of the Church of San Spirito in Ferrara, returning to San Petronio in Bologna in 1704 where he published his Op 1 of twelve concertos for chamber that year. He joined the Accademia Filarmonica musical society in Bologna in 1709, the year he published his Op 2 of twelve church sonatas:

'Sinfoneida Da Chiesa'   Op 2.1 in F major   Francesco Manfredini   1709

Capricornus Consort Basel / Peter Barczi 2013

'Sinfoneida Da Chiesa'   Op 2.2 in D minor   Francesco Manfredini   1709

Capricornus Consort Basel / Peter Barczi 2013

'Sinfoneida Da Chiesa'   Op 2.12 in D major   Francesco Manfredini  1709

Christmas Pastorale

Capricornus Consort Basel / Peter Barczi 2013

Manfredini's 'Concerto con due Trombe' ('Concerto in D major') appeared in 1711 for two trumpets. I'm something confused by Jason Orsen's mention that this is the only work which Manfredini wrote for trumpet since there is also his 'Concerto in C major' of 1711 written for two trumpets and strings. I've got that glitch that one can't figure of reading something wrong somewhere but let's not let the wide gaps between my neurons stop us now:

'Concerto in D major'   ('Concerto con due Trombe')  Francesco Manfredini   1711

Concerto Köln   Trumpet: Friedemann Immer / Graham Nicholson

'Concerto in C major'   Francesco Manfredini   1711

For 2 trumpets / strings / organ / harpsichord

Newton Musical / Assumption Catholic Church in Jacksonville FL on 16 May 2015

In 1711 Manfredini won employment with Prince Antonio I of Monaco, first record of his presence there in 1712. How long he was Monaco isn't known, but he was back in Bologna in time to there publish his Op 3 of twelve concertos in 1718:

'12 Concerti Op 3'   Francesco Manfredini   1718

Les Amis de Philippe / Ludger Rémy   2000

In 1727 Manfredini became maestro di capella at St. Phillip's Cathedral in Pistola where he remained until his death on October 6, 1762. Six of his sonatas were published in London two years later, the fourth and last of his published works.