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The Italian violinist and composer Giuseppe Torelli (1658–1709) is best known for his nine collections of music for strings published between 1686 and 1709. However, many more works by him survive only in manuscript. These include three fine trio sonatas for two violins and bass today preserved uniquely in Dresden, They almost certainly date from a period of his life (1697-c.1701) spent as concertmaster at the small German court of Brandenburg-Ansbach. Well contrasted, these sonatas possess several features associated with the concerto genre, of which Torelli was a pioneer. The result is a gain in expressivity and vitality that modern performers and listeners will relish.
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Music example: Sonata 1 (pdf)