Vivaldi: 12 Sonatas for violin and continuo Op 2

Traditionally known as the composer of the Four Seasons and the Gloria, the work of Cecilia Bartoli has shown that lesser-known works of the red priest from Venice can become hit records too.

Now Signum Records are delighted to introduce an album on period instruments of the 12 Violin Sonatas, Opus 2. Cordaria features internationally-renowned baroque violinist Walter Reiter, "an artist who transcends authenticity to enter the universal" as one critic wrote, and an eminent continuo team of harpsichord, cello and theorbo.

Written in 1708, just before the 'L'estro armonico' concertos, these sonatas contain all the passion and the virtuosity, all the lyricism and emotion, which have made the concertos so eternally popular. In the words of the great Vivaldi scholar Michael Talbot, "Op 2 is fully Vivaldian and certainly deserves to take its place among his other masterworks."

SIGCD014 106 minutes 10 seconds (2 discs)

'These are intelligent but natural accounts of the unfairly neglected music, in which any points the players are out to make are about the music and not themselves' (Gramophone)
'This is mature if not sensational playing that brings the music to life with interpretations that will hold up very well over time' (Classics Today)
'[Walter Reiter ] plays with real ardor and gusto. This is exemplary for showing what can be done with a baroque violin, some fine continuo players, and plenty of spunk' (The American Guide, USA)