A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bai, Tommaso

by Edward H. Pember

BAI, Tommaso, was born at Crevalcuore, near Bologna, towards the end of the 17th century, and was for many years one of the tenor singers in the chapel of the Vatican. In 1713 he was made maestro of that basilica, according to an extract from the chapel books cited by Baini, because he was the oldest and most accomplished member of the choir.^[1] He died in the year following this recognition of his excellence. His fame rests on a single achievement. His 'Miserere,' written at the request of his choir, is the only one (if we except that by Baini) out of a long series by composers known and unknown, including Naldini, Felice Anerio, Tartini, and Alessandro Scarlatti, which has been thought worthy to take permanent rank with those of Allegri and Palestrina. Other works by Bai exist, but they are in manuscript. They consist of a mass, twelve motetti for four, five, and eight voices, and a 'De Profundis' for eight voices. They are all enumerated in the catalogue of the collection made by the Abbé Santini.

[ E. H. P. ]

1. 'Come il più antico e virtuoso della Cappella.'