Locatelli: Sonatas Op 4

Locatelli’s Op 4 in fact consists of two quite distinct sets of pieces, six Introduttioni Teatrali and six Concerti. It is not clear whether the title of the ‘theatrical introductions’ should be taken literally, but certainly the works are composed in a striking manner such as would be expected for an overture fighting to catch the attention of a restless audience.

The second half of the set consists of six concertos whose rhapsodic character contrasts with the carefully structured style of the Introduttioni. These works have differing numbers of movements and Locatelli exploits this greater freedom to include a wide range of virtuosic motifs and textural experiments.

CDD22064  95 minutes 31 seconds (2 discs)
‘The Raglan Baroque Players and Elizabeth Wallfisch are doing great service to the music of Locatelli. This excellent band … seem to revel in the fertile invention and sheer ebullience of the mus ...
‘There is simply no better introduction to the music of Locatelli than [this] superbly invigorating collection’ (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)
‘Once again a Raglan triumph … given these excellent performances I've a hunch that Locatelli has a fighting chance to make the composers' Premier League’ (Classic CD)