Composer

:

Nicola Matteis

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Average_duration

:

6:17

Nicola Matteis was an Italian Baroque composer and violinist who lived in England during the late 17th century. He is known for his innovative approach to violin playing and his use of unconventional harmonies and dissonances in his compositions. One of his most famous works is "The False Consonances of Musick," a collection of sonatas for violin and continuo. "The False Consonances of Musick" was composed in 1682 and premiered in London the same year. The collection consists of six sonatas, each with multiple movements. The sonatas are written in the traditional Baroque style, with a fast-slow-fast movement structure. However, Matteis' use of dissonances and unconventional harmonies sets his compositions apart from other Baroque works of the time. One of the most notable characteristics of "The False Consonances of Musick" is Matteis' use of false relations. False relations occur when two notes that are a semitone apart are played simultaneously or in close proximity. This creates a dissonant sound that was not commonly used in Baroque music. Matteis also uses chromaticism and unexpected modulations to create a sense of tension and unpredictability in his compositions. Another characteristic of Matteis' style is his use of ornamentation. He was known for his virtuosic violin playing and his compositions are full of intricate runs, trills, and other embellishments. Matteis' use of ornamentation adds to the complexity and richness of his music. Overall, "The False Consonances of Musick" is a groundbreaking work that showcases Matteis' innovative approach to composition and violin playing. His use of dissonances, false relations, and ornamentation set his music apart from other Baroque works of the time and paved the way for future composers to experiment with new harmonies and techniques.

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