Jonathan Talbott, recordings

Forgotten Virtuosi Jonathan Talbott renaissance violin 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)

SALTARELLO

ENSEMBLE BRACCIO

Late Renaissance popular Italian dance music for violin band and lutes.

Sepolcro

Concerto Barocco

A Requiem, instrumental music and an Easter oratorio by Johann Heinrich Schmelzer.

MARTIN PEUDARGENT

RABASKADOL

16th century motets for voices and instruments from the court of Wilhelm V of Jülich-Kleve-Berg.