A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Pollini, Francesco

by Henry John Lincoln

POLLINI, Francesco, [App. p750 "Giuseppe"] born at Lubiano, in Illyria, in 1763 (1774 or 1778) and a Pupil of Mozart. He became a skilful pianist at an early age, his style having combined some of the distinguishing characteristics of that of his preceptor, of Clementi and of Hummel, each of whom he surpassed in some forms of the mere mechanism of the art. Pollini indeed may, in this respect, be considered as an inventor, having anticipated Thalberg in the extended grasp of the keyboard by the use of three staves (as in Thalberg's Fantasia on 'God save the Queen,' and 'Rule Britannia')—thus enabling the player to sustain a prominent melody in the middle region of the instrument, while each hand is also employed with elaborate passages above and beneath it. This remarkable mode of producing by two hands almost the effect of four, appears indeed to have been originated by Pollini in his 'Uno de' trentadue Esercizi in forma di toccata,' brought out in 1820. This piece was dedicated to Meyerbeer; the original edition containing a preface addressed to that composer by Pollini, which includes the following passage explanatory of the construction of the Toccata:—'I propose to offer a simple melody more or less plain, and of varied character, combined with accompaniments of different rhythms, from which it can be clearly distinguished by a particular expression and touch in the cantilena in contrast to the accompaniment.' Dehn appears to have been the first to draw attention to Pollini's specialty, in his preface to the original edition of Liszt's pianoforte transcriptions of the six great organ Preludes and Fugues of Bach.

Pollini's productions consist chiefly of pianoforte music, including an elaborate instruction book, many solo pieces, and some for two performers. These works are included in the catalogue of Ricordi, of Milan. Pollini also produced some stage music, and a Stabat Mater. He was highly esteemed—professionally and personally—by his contemporaries. Bellini dedicated his 'Sonnambula' 'al celebre Francesco Pollini.' The subject of this notice died at Milan in April 1847 [App. p.750 "Sept. 17, 1846"].

[ H. J. L. ]