Giovanni Battista Somis (December 25, 1686 – August 14, 1763) was an Italian violinist and composer of the Baroque music era.
He studied under Arcangelo Corelli between 1703 and 1706 or 1707.[1] He was later appointed solo violinist to the king at Turin and leader of the royal band, and seems scarcely ever to have left Turin after these appointments.
A trip to Paris in 1731 to play at the Concert Spirituel produced a report in the April 1733 Le Mercure praising his playing.[2]
He published eight opus numbers in all:
A set of twelve sonatas for cello and figured bass was published by LeClerc of Paris around 1740, as well.
He formed a style more brilliant and more emotional, and caused a decided step forward in the art of violin playing. He was the teacher of Jean-Marie Leclair,[4] Felice Giardini, Louis-Gabriel Guillemain, and Chabran,[5] as well as Gaetano Pugnani, and he forms a connecting link between the classical schools of Italy and France. He died in Turin.