Spice of Italy

Following our exploration of violin sonatas by Finger (CHAN 0824), immersing ourselves in the music of his London contemporaries was a logical next step. Although not wholly unknown nowadays, both Matteis Senior and his son lack the full recognition that they deserve, being overlooked in their countries of origin because they emigrated, and in their new homelands because they were foreign. Determined to put this to rights, we spent innumerable hours exploring their music, spellbound by their vibrant and ever-varying musical worlds. It was a struggle to choose which pieces to record, and plenty more remain, which we sadly had to leave aside. Violin playing today has its roots in the Italian style of players such as Matteis, and we take it for granted that the violin can move us with abundant expressive colours and effects. The situation in Restoration London was different. Musical style was largely French and no one had heard playing like that of Matteis Senior before. The first significant Italian violinist to arrive in England, he must have seemed like a musical visitor from outer space. His influence, through his performing, teaching, and publications, cannot be overestimated. Violin playing and musical taste shifted wholeheartedly towards the Italian style, and in [Roger] North’s words, which inspired the title of this recording, ‘nothing in towne had a relish without a spice of Itally’. – Hazel Brooks / Duo Dorado