Giovanni Battista Mazzaferrata

Mazzaferrata was a student of Tarquinio Merula and it is thought that he acceeded to the position of master of the chapel for Vercelli Cathedral. In service to few places, the Accademia della Morte in Ferrara and possibly a school or church in Tuscany, Mazzaferrata died in service in Ferrara. Though he was not a noted composer, Mazzaferrata was one of the most individual composers of his time. The movements of his music preceded the Classical sonata form and may have in fact been an inspiration for some Classical composers (Bassini). He employed movements that not only contrasted in rhythms but also in time signatures and key signatures as well. Most of his writing was harmonic rather than melodic, horizontal rther than vertical with several themes characterized by single, redundant notes. His secular and sacred musical compositions were popular as can be appreciated through the printing of more than one edition. ~ Keith Johnson