Like his elder brother Alessandro Marcello, Benedetto was principally a Venetian official, serving as a magistrate for some 20 years. A more prolific composer than his brother, Benedetto left little indication as to when any of his works were composed. A pupil of Lotti and Gasperini, Marcello was held in high regard throughout much of the 18th and 19th centuries. Chief amongst his works are the Salmi, highly characteristic works incorporating quotations from Greek and Hebrew interpretations of the Psalms of David. The Concerto for Oboe was written originally in D minor, but was lowered to C minor and edited for content by Pat Stuckemeyer.
