Collection: Pietro Alessandro Pavona

Pietro Alessandro Pavona (1728–1786)

Born in Palma on June 15, 1728, to Francesco di Pietro, a Veronese serving in the Venetian garrison, and Giovanna Casoti. Little is known about his youth and training; tradition holds that he studied with Bartolomeo Cordans, although documentary evidence is lacking apart from a copy of a Cordans motet made by the young Pavona. At twenty he received clerical tonsure in Udine and in 1749 joined the chapter college of S. Maria Assunta in Cividale del Friuli.

In 1751, after the death of organist Giuseppe Zanchetti, Pavona was unanimously elected as his successor. His first dated autograph work belongs to that year. At Cividale Cathedral he devoted himself to teaching and to selecting, composing and directing music for major liturgical celebrations. He received commissions and invitations for musical performances in several centres of the region.

His activity also extended beyond sacred duties into secular music. Pavona died in Manzano on October 17, 1786, aged fifty-eight. Most of his known works survive in autograph manuscripts in the Capitular Musical Archive of S. Maria Assunta in Cividale del Friuli.

Pavona at Reference Music Store

The collection includes Pavona: Fremens Unda Furibonda. Continue through Classical Music and the Composers index.