GIOVANNI BATTISTA SOMIS (1686-1763)
Violin Sonatas, Op. 1

Sonata no. 6 [D major]
1 Adagio
2 Allegro
3 Allegro

Sonata no. 9 [G minor]
4 Adagio
5 Allegro
6 Allegro

Sonata no. 5 [B flat major]
7 Adagio
8 Allegro
9 Allegro

Sonata no. 7 [E flat major]
10 Adagio
11 Allegro
12 Presto

Sonata no. 10 [C major]
13 Adagio
14 Allegro
15 Allegro

Sonata no. 2 [E minor]
16 Adagio
17 Allegro
18 Allegro

Sonata no. 1 [G minor]
19 Adagio
20 Allegro
21 Allegro

Sonata no. 12 [E major]
22 Adagio
23 Allegro
24 Allegro

Sonata no. 8 [A major]
25 Adagio
26 Allegro
27 Allegro

Sonata no. 4 [D minor]
28 Adagio
29 Allegro
30 Allegro

Sonata no. 3 [A minor]
31 Adagio
32 Allegro
33 Allegro

Sonata no. 11 [F major]
34 Adagio
35 Allegro
36 Allegro

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About this CD

Mitzi Meyerson likes to come up with surprising musical finds or rediscoveries and her latest, the Opera Prima of Giovanni Battista Somis, is as fascinating as her recordings devoted to Richard Jones and Gottlieb Muffat. Indeed, the harpsichordist chanced upon the score for this set of Baroque violin sonatas – first published in 1717 – when investigating the music of Richard Jones in the British Library, finding thereby another trove of forgotten Baroque gems.

Somis worked for the Dukes of Savoy, initially in Turin, in the early 18th century, but studied with Corelli in Rome, later befriended Vivaldi, and himself taught many subsequent prominent violinists, including Jean-Marie Leclair. Known as a virtuoso on the violin himself (and he is even said to have composed 152 violin concertos!), Somis even performed at the Concert Spirituel in Paris. This, his first collection of sonatas, was dedicated to the powerful Regent of Savoy, Marie-Jeanne-Baptiste de Savoie, the mother of the future duke, Vittorio Amedeo II. The music is often very galant and perfectly combines Italian and French features.

Together with violinist Kreeta-Maria Kentala and cellist Lauri Pulakka, Meyerson fully enters into the Baroque spirit of transcribing and arranging on this Glossa recording by varying these 12 three-movement sonatas with all the stylistic experience and insight that the modern day musicians can offer.