Florish in the Key: The Solo Violin in London 1650-1700

Featuring

Peter Sheppard Skaerved
Arcangelo Corelli
Giuseppe Torelli
Nicola Cosimi
Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber
Antonio Maria Bononcini

Nicola Matteis
Francesco Gasparini
Nicola Francesco Haym
Johann Gottfried Keller
Thomas Dean
Tomaso Albinoni
William Corbett
Henry Eccles
Tommaso Antonio Vitali
John Banister
Johann Christoph Pepusch
Carlo Ambrogio Lonati
Henry Purcell
Simons
Robert King
Giovanni Battista Bassani
Smith
William Gorton
Marc' Antonio Ziani
Gottfried Finger
Mr. Hills
Thomas Baltzar

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Composition History

The collection "Preludes or Voluntarys" was published by John Walsh, a London publisher, between 1700 and 1704, and surveys violin music at the start of the 18th century.

Compositional Technique

The range of keys in Walsh's collection is adventurous for its time, featuring 13 different keys, compared to Bach's preference for more 'open keys' in his violin fugues.

Historical Context

The album's title, "Florish in the Key," is inspired by Edward Phillips' 1658 dictionary, which defined a 'Prelude' as a 'Voluntary or Florish on any Instrument'.

Instruments

The anonymous "Charles II" Violin from 1664, used for most of the recording, is believed to have been played in one of King Charles II's violin bands.

Interpretation

The recording uses gut strings and an early baroque bow by Antonino Airenti, aiming to recreate the intimate sound of this music as it might have been heard historically.

Performer Biography

Peter Sheppard Skærved, the violinist on this album, is known for his pioneering approach to both contemporary and historical music, with over 400 works written for him.

Recording & Production

The album features two violins: an anonymous "Charles II" Violin from 1664 for most tracks, and a Girolamo Amati Violin from 1629 for the Thomas Baltzar works.