scuola

Scuola delle Nazioni

An exploration of Giuseppe Tartini and the international legacy of his Scuola delle Nazioni, tracing his influence as a virtuoso, teacher, theorist, and composer across generations of European musicians.

A European lineage of virtuosity.


An exploration of the transcendent figure of Giuseppe Tartini, revolutionary teacher, virtuoso violinist, theorist, and composer of the Enlightenment, whose musical and pedagogical influence continues to resonate.

Tartini founded the Scuola delle Nazioni (School of Nations) in Padua, where he trained generations of musicians from across Italy and Europe. Alongside his compositional career, he conducted pioneering experiments in acoustics and became a leading musical theorist.

A prolific composer, Tartini laid the foundations of the galant style, bridging Baroque and Classical idioms. His works often drew inspiration from poetry, and even dreams. The program traces Tartini’s European legacy through his students, from Nardini to Stratico, including Pugnani and Sirmen, highlighting the international reach of the Scuola delle Nazioni. Through violin, harpsichord, and cello solos, these works blend melodic elegance, expressive affetti, and rich harmonic invention to move both heart and senses.

Giuseppe Tartini

Sonata for Violin and
Basso Continuo, Op. 1, 6’

Michele Stratico

Sonata for Violin and
Basso Continuo (Berkeley Library MSS 4062
and 0460), 10’

Antonio Vandini

Sonata for Cello, IAV 1, 8’

Gaetano Pugnani

Trio for Obligato
Harpsichord, Violin and Cello in G minor, ZT
ms, ca. 1790, 8′

Pietro Nardini

Sonata for Violin and Basso Continuo, F-Pc, D.11040, 8’

Giuseppe Tartini

“Pastorale” Sonata for
Violin and Continuo, Op. 1, 11’