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American Record Guide

The short works for solo violin presented here are mostly taken from a collection of “preludes or voluntaries” for violin printed sometime between 1700 and 1704. They range from about a minute to two and a half. They are the kind of music that a violinist might have played between longer works, to harmonically connect the works in the recital. They are selected from music by several European composers and a few Englishmen. They possess little musical interest except to show how a violinist might have programed a performance at that time.

There are 34 of these brief works, and the remainder of the disc contains brief works by the German virtuoso Thomas Baltzar (1631-63). These are not as dazzling as several of the preludes and voluntaries, which were mostly composed later by famous virtuosos like Corelli and Biber. This is a pleasing way to spend 73 minutes, but it is probably more valuable as a resource for violinists exploring the music of the 17th Century and how programs were put together then.

Peter Sheppard Skaerved plays with a warm intimacy; and, as usual, his booklet notes are models of musicological research but not dry. One instrument was made in 1664 for Charles II of England for the 34 preludes and voluntaries, and a Hieronymus Amati violin was made in 1629 for the 10 pieces by Baltzar.