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The Virtuoso Violinist

Donald Macleod considers Locatelli the violinist seen through the eyes of his contemporaries and also the conflicting attitudes in England and France to his music.

Locatelli seems to have made a comfortable living in Amsterdam, not just from the sale of his music but also from teaching and from selling strings and bows imported from Italy. He continued to perform, as witnessed by a young English gentleman and his tutor who provided vivid accounts of Locatelli's virtuosity. There were conflicting attitudes to Locatelli's music; in England it was rather mixed, whereas in France they welcomed his innovative style of writing. Donald Macleod introduces another of Locatelli's flute sonatas that proved so popular amongst amateur musicians across Europe and one of the violin sonatas which best demonstrates the technical wizardry for which he became renowned.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Pietro Locatelli

    Sonata in B flat major Op.2`3 for flute and continuo

    Performer: Lisa Beznosiuk. Performer: Nigel North.
    • Amon Ra: CDSAR68.
    • Amon Ra.
    • 7.
  • Pietro Locatelli

    Sonata da camera in D minor Op.6`12 for violin and continuo

    Ensemble: Ensemble Violini Capriciossi. Performer: Igor Ruhadze.
    • Brilliant Classics: 94423.
    • Brilliant Classics.
    • 1.
  • Pietro Locatelli

    Introduttione teatrale in C major Op.4`6

    Performer: Raglan Baroque Players. Performer: Elizabeth Wallfisch.
    • HYPERION : CDA-67041.
    • HYPERION.
  • Pietro Locatelli

    Concerto grosso in E flat major Op.4`10 (Da Camard)

    Orchestra: Raglan Baroque Players. Performer: Elizabeth Wallfisch.
    • HYPERION : CDA 67041-2.
    • HYPERION.
    • 1.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 3 Apr 2014 12:00
  • Thu 3 Apr 2014 18:30

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