Nanini, Giovanni-Maria

Nanini, Giovanni-Maria an Italian composer, was born about 1540 at Vallerano. He studied harmony in the school of Goudimel with Palestrina. From 1571 to 1575 he performed the duties of chapel-master in the church of Sainte Mary, and in 1577 he entered the college of singers in the pontifical chapel. He was director of a school in composition, which was the first of its kind established at Rome by an Italian. According to M. Fetis, this master is to be regarded as one of the most learned men of the Roman school, and his productions deserve to be placed immediately after those of Palestrina. Several of his motets are still sung, among others at Christmas matins a Hodie nobis celorum rex which is truly beautiful. He died at Rome March 11, 1607. He published, Motetti (Venice, 1578, 4to, 2 books): — Madrigali a cinque voci (ibid. 1579-1586, 4 volumes, 4to, 4 books): — Canzonette a tre voci (ibid. 1587, 4to). Many fragments of his scattered through several collections are still known; and in manuscript there are fugues, litanies, masses, psalms, and a treatise on counterpoint. His younger brother, Giovanni-Bernardino, was also chapel-master at Rome. He was among the first to abandon the old style for new music with organ accompaniment. To him we also owe, Madrigali (Venice and Rome, 1598- 1612, 3 parts, 4to): — Motecta (Rome, 1608-1618, 4 parts, 4to): — Salmi (ibid. 1620, 4to). See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.