Matteis: Ground in D la sol re, Allegro. Ayres for the Violin Book IV. Voices of Music 8K

Matteis's variations on a ground bass in D Minor, performed on original instruments by the award-winning Early Music ensemble Voices of Music.
Matteis pens two complete sets of variations over a simple, offbeat ground bass, the first one marked 'per far la mano" ('to work the hand'), followed by 'un poco difficile (a little more difficult) per far la mano. "Little" being an understatement. Originally from Italy, Nicola Matteis moved to Italy and became one of the most technically skilled violinists in England in the 17th century. His four books of "Ayres" (really suites) display a dizzying array of styles and a mastery of counterpoint. Book IV (1685) also contains the popular "Scotch Humor" variations. Matteis's theoretical writing provide an insight into both the harmony and importantly the time signatures of the 17th century.
Of Matteis, and specifically about the ground bass (Ed: perhaps this piece?) the diarist John Evelyn wrote: "I heard that stupendious Violin Signor Nichola (with other rare Musitians) whom certainly never mortal man exceeded on that instrument, he had a stroak so sweete, [he] made it speaking like the Voice of a man and when he pleased, like a Consort of severall Instruments: he did wonders upon a Note: [and] was an excellent Composer also. Nothing approched the violin in Nichola's hand: he seemed to be inspired and played such ravishing things on a ground as astonishd us all."
Voices of Music
Hanneke van Proosdij & David Tayler, directors
Cynthia Miller Freivogel & Elizabeth Blumenstock, baroque violins (left to right), Elisabeth Reed, baroque cello, Hanneke van Proosdij, harpsichord, David Tayler, archlute.
Audio engineer & ambisonics: Boby Borisov
Video director: Lloyd Hryciw
Video: Rob Clevenger
Post Production: David Tayler & Andrew Levy
Produced by David Tayler & Hanneke van Proosdij
Audio mastering, video cutting and final 8K color and render: David Tayler
Copyright 2023 Voices of Music
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