Pinto, George Frederick
Pinto, George Frederick
Pinto, George Frederick, English violinist, pianist, and composer; b. Lambeth, Sept. 25, 1785; d. Chelsea, March 23, 1806. His father’s name was Saun-ders or Sanders, but he adopted his mother’s surname as his own. He began violin lessons in early childhood, and became a student of Salomon at the age of 8, making his debut as a violinist at a benefit concert for Salvini (May 4, 1796); also became active as a pianist. His early death, at the age of 20, was regretted by his older contemporaries, who ascribed it, pietistically, to sexual indulgence and general dissipation, without offering facts. He wrote works for piano, including several sonatas, violin duets, and songs, a number of which reveal great promise.
Bibliography
M. Gordon, Authentic Memoirs of the late celebrated G.F. P. collected by a Friend to Genius and Merit (Edinburgh, 1807).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire