Classical Music | Violin Music

Recorded on 03/25/2008, uploaded on 01/15/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Chaconne               Tomaso Vitali

Born in Bologna in 1663, Tomaso Vitali was the son of Giovanni Battista Vitali, a string-player, singer and composer. A violinist, and presumably a pupil of his father, Tomaso moved with his father to Modena in 1674 and remained there, serving subsequently as leader of the court orchestra until 1742. His compositions include trio sonatas in the style of Corelli, and this famous Chaconne in G minor whose authorship is questioned.  The Chaconne came to wide attention through violinist Ferdinand David, whose own considerable elaborations to the score have largely formed the basis of published editions. Based on a baroque variation form, the Chaconne uses a repeated chordal pattern over a descending bass-line, allowing the violin increasingly elaborate display.      Amaury Coeytaux

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.