Piccinni (Piccini), Niccolò

Piccinni (Piccini), Niccolò – The Periodical Overture in 8 parts No. 21 (Edited by Barnaby Priest and Alyson McLamore / New print)

(1728–1800)

Published by Robert Bremner at the Harp and Hautboy, opposite Somerset-House, in the Strand

Issued: before 8 December 1767; price 2 shillings

Source: Henry Watson Music Library – Courtesy of Manchester Libraries,

Information and Archives, Manchester City Council: BR580Po33

Instrumentation: 2 violins, viola, basso, 2 oboes, 2 horns [originally in F]

Editors: Barnaby Priest & Alyson McLamore

(Germn preface not available)

COMMENTARY

After the roaring success of Periodical Overture No. 20, it is no wonder that Robert Bremner (c.1713–1789) wanted to continue publishing works by Niccolò Piccinni (Piccini) (1728–1800). In fact, Bremner’s subsequent three issues were all by Piccinni, the first time in the series that Bremner had ever published four pieces in a row by the same composer. In addition, the latter two prints—Periodical Overtures No. 22 and No. 23—were again drawn from operas by Piccinni, as had been the case with Periodical Overture No. 20. However, in contrast to Bremner’s prominent acknowledgement of La buona figliuola on the title page of the twentieth Periodical Overture, he did not identify the theatrical origins of Nos. 22 or 23. The same lack of acknowledgment had been true for his first two issues by Johann Christian Bach (Nos. 1 and 15); it seems that Bremner did not alert purchasers to an operatic connection unless the work had been recently (or was currently) staged in London. It is very likely, therefore, that the F major symphony that comprises Periodical Overture No. 21 was also taken from an opera, but it has not been possible to identify its theatrical source. Although numerous archives have digitized large amounts of their holdings, and the Répertoire International des Sources Musicales often includes melodic incipits within its catalogue entries, some twenty operatic works by Piccinni that premiered prior to 1767 are currently lost or are not readily accessible. Still, it is also possible that Piccinni composed the F major symphony as an independent work, although no manuscript parts are known to exist, nor did he ever publish other free-standing symphonies during his long career.

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