Geminiani: Violin Sonatas Op. 4

Nepomnyashchaya, Alexandra, Ruhadze, Igor

96636

Francesco Saverio Geminiani (1687-1762) was born in Lucca. He began his study at an early age with his father, but his most important lessons followed in his years with the great Roman Master, Arcangelo Corelli. Composition lessons with Alessandro Scarlatti helped inspire and solidify his craft. In 1714 Geminiani settled in London, where he quickly gained fame as an ensemble player, concert violinist, and teacher. Here he became friends with Handel and led the orchestra during many performances together. Geminiani enjoyed great success not only in London, but also in Ireland where he spent a considerable amount of time. In 1760 he settled in Dublin, dying there in somewhat impoverished circumstances in 1762.

Geminiani's playing was distinguished by its great expressiveness, richness of dynamic coloring, extraordinary liveliness, and a strong temperament. Tartini tellingly called Geminiani "il furibondo” – the furious one!

This album presents the series of new sonatas that Geminiani composed during the 1730s, known as his "Sonate a violino e basso, Opera quarta", the sonatas for violin and basso continuo, Opus 4, published in London in 1739, written in a mixed style: the French style was characterized by refinement, detail, and elaborate ornamentation, whereas the Italian style was more straightforward, with fewer embellishments.

Played by Igor Ruhadze, Baroque violin and Alexandra Nepomnyashchaya, harpsichord. This duo already recorded the Op. 1 violin sonatas by Geminiani. Fanfare about this recording: “ The early-music world needs more performers like Igor Ruhadze. When a period player is truly fine—and Igor Ruhadze fits into this category—he or she can combine the rhetorical and the purely musical aspects in his playing to perfection. Ruhadze knows the conventions of Baroque style and expression thoroughly, but above all he is a violinist who plays superbly. This is some of the most accomplished historically informed violin playing I have heard in a long time, and should reconcile fans in the “period” and “modern” camps.”

CD x 2

Brilliant Classics

2.11.2023

5028421966366