Mazzochi, Domenico

A Sixteenth Century composer, chiefly known as the originator of the marks used at present to indicate crescendo and diminuendo; also the pf for pianoforte and the tr for trilo. Little is known of his life, except that he studied with Nanini, became a prominent lawyer in Rome, and was employed possibly in some musical capacity by Aldobrandini Borghese for a number of years. Among his works are La Catena d'Adone, an opera; a book of sacred music; a book of madrigals; several oratorios; and a collection of Dialoghi e Sonatti. His works date from 1626 to 1640.