Benda left a significant collection of written-out 'improvisations' in a manuscript in the Berlin Staatsbibliothek, containing 34 fully-ornamented sonatas for violin and continuo.
Recording & Production
This album features world-premiere recordings of five of Franz Benda's sonatas, edited by Mihoko Kimura, showcasing his authentic and often spectacular written-out 'improvisations'.
Performer Biography
Hans-Joachim Berg, the baroque violinist on this recording, makes his CD solo debut with this world-premiere recording of Franz Benda's sonatas.
Instruments
For this recording, Hans-Joachim Berg plays a violin built in 1735 by Sebastian Klotz, a leading German builder, which remains unaltered since its creation.
Composer Biography
Franz Benda was highly praised by Charles Burney, a prominent music historian, who called him 'a truly great genius' and the best violinist he met on his European travels.
Composer Biography
Franz Benda, born the son of a Bohemian weaver, rose to a position of intimacy with King Frederick the Great of Prussia, bringing four musical siblings to Prussia.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Benda's compositions were noted for their 'cantabile' style, meaning they were so song-like that almost any passage could be sung by the human voice.
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