Giovanni Maria Bononcini (1642-1678) was an Italian composer and theorist, father of Giovanni and Antonio Maria. He studied counterpoint and composition with Agostino Bendinelli and possibly also with Marco Uccellini in Modena. His first positions were as maestro di cappella at the churches of San Giovanni in Monte and San Petronio in Bologna. He was also a member of the highly esteemed Academia Filarmonica in Bologna.



From 1671 on he was court musician for Duchess Laura d'Este and violinist at the Modena Cathedral. In 1673 he published in Bologna a widely used treatise, Musico prattico. He is best known for his chamber and church sonatas, but also composed cantatas, madrigals, arias, and a "dramma da camera," "I primi voli dell'aquila austriaca" (Modena, 1677; lost).



He gave the existing canzona sonata with frequently changing rhythms a stable form with several movements. His 29 trio sonatas, with their movement form, their cantabile expression and powerful sound from an important first step in the direction of Arcangelo Corelli's style.



Bononcini was also active as a writer on musical subjects.