Azzolino Bernardino della Ciaja

Biography

To be distinguished from an earlier Sienese composer Alessandro Della Ciaia (c. 1605 - c. 1670)
Azzolino Bernardino della Ciaja (21 May 1671 – 15 January 1755) was an Italian organist, harpsichordist, composer and organ builder.

Life

Born in Siena, into a rich family, he was a member of the Pisan Cavalieri di S Stefano order. He lived in Pisa from 1703 and 1713, but kept strong connections with Florence. In 1713, he moved to Rome, where he stayed till 1730. He then moved back to Pisa, where he died.
An expert in organ building, he worked on the organ of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri, a large 5- manual and more than 60 stop organ.
Very important are the Six Sonatas for Harpsichord published in Rome in 1727.

Vocal works

Cantate da camera, op. 2 (Lucca, 1701)
Cantate da camera op. 3 (Bologna, 1702), lost
De suoi tormenti in seno (Pisa, 1704)
Chi non sa morire (cantata)
Bella imago (cantata)
Lungi dal caro bene (cantata), Pisa, 1709

Sacred works

Salmi concertati, op. 1 (Bologna, 1700)
Mass (Ky, Gl, Cr), 4 voices, 1696
Mass, 4–5vv, 1739
Mass (Ky, Gl, Cr), 4vv, nd
I trionfi di Giosuè (pasticcio), Florence 1703, lost

Instrumental works

Sonate per cembalo con alcuni saggi ed altri contrapunti di largo e grave stile ecclesiastico per grandi organi, op. 4 (Rome, 1727?)