Throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries, Italian composers transformed string writing into one of Europe’s most influential musical languages. Figures such as Stradella, Legrenzi and Corelli developed styles of increasing brilliance, clarity and expressive power, balancing contrapuntal richness with virtuosic flair. From the elegant sonatas and sinfonias of Cavalli, Rosenmüller and Albinoni to Vivaldi’s electrifying concertos for multiple violins, this programme traces the evolution of the Italian string tradition at a moment of extraordinary creativity and invention. Alessandro Stradella Sinfonia in D Johann Rosenmüller Sinfonia Prima in F Giovanni Legrenzi Sonata 'La Cremona' Op.8 No.10 in C Antonio Vivaldi Concerto for 4 violins RV 550 Arcangelo Corelli Concerto Grosso Op.6 No.2 in F Giovanni Legrenzi Sonata a4 Op.11 No.13 in a Francesco Cavalli Canzon a4 in C from 'Music Sacre' Tomaso Albinoni Sinfonia Op. 2 No.3 in C Antonio Vivaldi Concerto for 2 violins RV 522 John Butt director Dunedin Consort

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