1680. F. Geminiani (Lucca), 1680-1762. Violinist and composer. His sonatas, trios, etc., are of importance for their time.
1685. Gottfried Finger (Olmütz), about 1685. He came to England in 1685, and was appointed chapel-master to King James II. In conjunction with John Banister he published chamber music for various instruments.
1685. F.M. Veracini (Florence), 1685-1750. Celebrated violinist composer and chamber-music virtuoso.
1685. John Sebastian Bach (Eisenach), 1685-1750.
1685. G.F. Handel (Hallé), 1685-1759.
1685. Domenico Scarlatti (Naples), 1685-1757. Composer and performer of clavier music of great distinction. He leads us up to P.E. Bach, Haydn, and others of that period.
1685. Johann Schenck (Wiener-Neustadt), about 1685. He published during 1685-95 sonatas for two violins, gamba (a kind of ’cello), and continuo (figured bass), and many other works in chamber music form. One set of these he called (anticipating the Beethoven Scherzo) Scherzi musicali.
1685. Torelli (Verona),—about 1685. Famous violinist, who wrote some important chamber music for strings.
1686. N.A. Porpora (Naples), 1686-1766. Opera composer of great fame. He also wrote a number of chamber music works, including six so-called chamber symphonies for two violins, ’cello, and continuo.
1687. J.M. Leclair (Paris), 1687-1764. Eminent violinist and composer of chamber music. Two of his sonatas are included in Ferdinand David’s High School of Violin Playing.