Preludio e Sonata Terzo tuono

Polarollo, like
Marini, was born in the Italian town of Brescia. A celebrated opera composer in
his day, he was active in Venice from 1689 until his death in 1723, and he held
the position of second organist and then vicemaestro
di cappella at St. Mark’s Cathedral. It seems that he was already an
established composer before his arrival in Venice, and his professional
advancement, once there, grew quickly. He managed to have at least one of his
operas performed each year at the most prominent opera houses in the city. By
1720 it was noted that he had produced some 85 operas, the later works linking
him with the next generation of Neapolitan opera composers. Opera aside, we are
left with a number of oratorios, church music and a handful of sonatas for
organ or harpsichord, including today’s work.