Luigi Belloli
The Belloli family of horn players is almost forgotten today, although it played a significant role in Italian horn music. The family included Luigi Belloli (born 1770, or according to other sources on 1 February 1769; died 1817), his brother Agostino Belloli (1778–1839), Giuseppe Belloli (1775–?), and Luigi's two sons, Giovanni (1794–after 1846) and Giacomo (born 1795). All of them worked as horn players in various Italian orchestras.
Compositions by Luigi, Agostino and Giuseppe Belloli have survived and show their talent and their influence on horn music. Luigi Belloli began his career as a horn player in Parma and moved to La Scala in Milan in 1803, where he served as principal horn. Alongside his orchestral duties, he taught at the conservatory until his death in 1817. His brother Agostino, likewise a respected horn player and composer, succeeded him in his positions.
Concerto in E major for 2 Horns and Orchestra
The score manuscript gives no date for this concerto. Striking is the great virtuosity demanded of both horns, which seems to push beyond the limits of the valveless Invention horn then in use. Since Belloli died in 1817, the use of valve horns is ruled out; otherwise, the question would naturally arise with this work. It is reasonable to assume that the concerto was written for, and performed by, Luigi and his brother Agostino.
The concerto is published here for the first time.
Listen: Concerto for 2 Horns