Geminiani's 'reheatings' (arrangements of existing works) were motivated by a desire to improve compositions, adapt them to modern tastes, illustrate his theoretical principles, and make music accessible to a broader public.
Historical Context
Geminiani, who settled in England in 1716, was the first Italian Freemason and contributed to the birth of the earliest Masonic lodges in Italy.
Composition History
The first set of Corelli concerto grosso transcriptions by Geminiani was published on the initiative of an English society of Freemasons, of which Geminiani was a founding member.
Composer Biography
Francesco Geminiani, a composer featured on this album, was an excellent violinist, a respected teacher and theorist, and a controversial dealer in paintings.
Instruments
Chiara Banchini, the director of Ensemble 415, plays an instrument built in 1674 by Nicola Amati, which has been restored to its original condition.
Composition History
Geminiani was appointed 'perpetual Dictator' of the musical activities of the Philo-Musicae et Architecturae Societas, a Masonic society he helped found in London in 1725.
Interpretation
The performers on this album chose to use ornaments closer to Geminiani's school of playing, as detailed in his treatise 'Art of Playing on the Violin', rather than Corelli's.
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