Jonathan Talbott, recordings

ForgottenVirtuosi FORGOTTEN VIRTUOSI

violin showpieces from the early 17th century

Forgotten Virtuosi gives a glimpse into the world of the extraordinary solo violinists who lived in the first half of the 17th century.

The composers represented on the disc, (Schop, Baltzar, Rognoni, Castello, Nau and Marini, among others,) though today mostly unknown, were the Paganinis and Kreislers of their time.

Courts and cities hired these superstars in order to have them astonish and awe their guests with their performances, and, indeed, the music is designed to amaze, drawing on the entire range of colors available to the violin.

The recording contains written down improvisations on popular melodies (bergamascas, pavaniglias and chorales,) sonatas and serious works for both church and court, and delightful arrangements of madrigals, all for violin with or without accompaniment by harp, lute, organ, guitar and bass violin.

The disc also includes three world premiere recordings: pieces that have only recently resurfaced after having been forgotten for centuries.

"Talbott’s violin playing proved that the virtuoso was not just a 19th century phenomenon.” (Tubantia)