Marcello, Alessandro 1686-1739

Alessandro Marcello's compositional output is small, consisting of not much more than a dozen each of chamber cantatas, violin sonatas, and concertos, as well as several arias and canzonets. Most of his works were published under the pseudonym "Eterio Stinfalico," his name as a member of the celebrated Arcadian Academy (Pontificia Accademia degli Arcadi). He composed and published several sets of concertos, including six concertos under the title of La Cetra (The Lyre). Although his works are infrequently performed today, Marcello is regarded as a very competent composer. His La Cetra concertos are "unusual for their wind solo parts, concision and use of counterpoint within a broadly Vivaldian style," according to Grove, "placing them as a last outpost of the classic Venetian Baroque concerto." His cantatas dealt primarily with pastoral subjects and contained topical references, and, befitting his station in society, were clearly intended for Venice's and Rome's best singers, including Farinelli, Checchino, Laura and Virginia Predieri, and Benedetto's student, Faustina Bordoni. His instrumental works reflect a knowledge and understanding of the differences in French, Italian, and German music of the time, including choices of instruments for both the solo and continuo parts and use of ornamentation. Of all of his works, what is best known is the Adagio from the Oboe Concerto, which has become a staple of wedding music collections.