《Sonata IV per il violino per sonar con due corde》

Biagio Marini (1594-1663)

An Italian composer and violinist, Biagio Marini was born in Brescia, one of the important centers in early violin making. For a time, Marini worked as a violinist at Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice, one of the most prestigious musical cities in 17thcentury Europe, under the direction of Monteverdi, the outstanding Italian composer of the early Baroque period. In 1623, Marini traveled to Germany, working throughout the country for two decades before returning to Italy. In 1663, at the age of 76, Marini passed away in Venice. This particular sonata, composed in 1626 is a work from Marini’s German years. In the first half of the 17th century, most musical works were composed as vocal arrangements, with very few pieces solely written for even a single instrument. This sonata of Marini’s can be considered one of the earliest composed, specifically for the violin. The Italian title, Sonata IV per il violino per sonar con due corde, specifies the use of double stops, playing two notes at once. In addition to some rapid notes, the work also calls for tremolo and various techniques showcasing the violins unique characteristics. Written in three contrasting sections, each featuring a different tempo, time signature, and technique, this work uses the typical compositional methods of vocal works of the time. In addition, Marini incorporated styles from the newly emerging opera genre, with selected passages akin to the speech-like, rhythmically free recitative, while other melodic passages reflect similarities to rhythmic regularities of operatic arias. Marini’s use and addition of virtuosic techniques unique to the violin to a traditionally vocal form popular at its time, he clearly created one of the earliest classics staple to the violin’s repertoire. On this particular recording, the soloist uses a violin crafted in the 1580s by Gasparo Bertolotti da Salò (1540-1609) , a member of the Brescian school. With the perfect match of Brescian composer, instrument, and music piece, it is likely to provide an additional point of interest in the listening and appreciation of Marini’s work.