Nancy Wilson, the violinist on this recording, is a leading historically informed violinist in the US and performs on a 1659 Jacob Stainer violin.
Historical Context
Pedrini's music led to a close but complicated friendship with Emperor Kangxi of China, who prized his work as a teacher, writer, composer, performer, instrument builder, and tuner.
Historical Context
The sonatas are archived in the Beijing National Library and show strong influence from Corelli, whose work Pedrini likely knew from his time in Rome and from the Beitang Library in China.
Composer Biography
Teodorico Pedrini, the composer, arrived in China in 1711 after a nine-year journey and served as music master in the Chinese court until his death in 1746.
Composition History
Pedrini's Opus 3, twelve sonatas for violin and bass, are his only known compositions and the only known surviving manuscript of western-style music left in China during the eighteenth century.
Composer Biography
Despite his respected position, Pedrini was beaten and imprisoned due to friction within the court over his opposition to the Jesuit accommodation of Chinese rites.
Recording & Production
The harpsichord used in this recording was built in 1978 by Dave Lindorff, husband of performer Joyce Lindorff, based on a 16th-century Italian design.
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