Pilotti, Giuseppe

1784-1838

Italian composer and teacher; born and died at Bologna. His father was an organist and organ-builder. Giuseppe followed this trade and played the organ at Bologna and the nearby towns to support the family, after his father's death. He studied counterpoint under Mattei, and in 1805 he was admitted to the Accademia Filarmonica. He wrote compositions for the church and their merit obtained him the mastership of the Cathedral at Pistoja. He succeeded Mattei as master of San Petronio in Bologna, and later became professor of counterpoint at the Liceo Filarmonica, where he remained until his death. He published a treatise on instrumentation. His opera, L'ajo nell'imbarrazzo, his psalms and his Dies Irae, are the best known of his works.