A Bohemian in London: Violin Sonatas by Gottfried Finger

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Label: Chandos - Chaconne

Cat No: CHAN0824

Barcode: 0095115082423

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 1

Genre: Chamber

Release Date: 2nd August 2019

Works

Finger, Gottfried

Violin Sonata in A major, RI118
Violin Sonata in A major, RI119
Violin Sonata in A major, RI120
Violin Sonata in B flat major, RI124
Violin Sonata in B flat major, RI125
Violin Sonata in B minor, RI122a
Violin Sonata in D major, RI113
Violin Sonata in D major, RI129
Violin Sonata in E major, RI132
Violin Sonata in E major, RI134
Violin Sonata in E major, RI135
Violin Sonata in F major, RI136
Violin Sonata in F major, RI137

Artists

Duo Dorado

Works

Finger, Gottfried

Artists

Duo Dorado

About

Gottfried Finger was a Moravian composer and virtuoso viol player. Born in Olomouc, in the modern-day Czech Republic, and arriving in England in 1685, Finger worked for the court of James II before becoming a freelance composer.

Hazel Brooks has spent a great deal of time researching the music for this recording, all of which may be found in the British Library manuscript Add. 31466, the single biggest source of violin sonatas by Finger.

‘Finger’s sonatas contain a quirky mix of styles. Bohemian features from his homeland, simpler Corellian traits, and the occasional nod to the English Purcellian school are fitted together like crazy paving. This is what gives them their unique charm. Many are made up of contrasting short sections rather than separate movements, sometimes linked by short passages for basso continuo alone, both features characteristic of the Biber school.

‘Finger left a large number of sonatas for violin and basso continuo. We performed them all, immersing ourselves in the style, and this recording presents the finest selection from his output. Because he is known principally for his copious published recorder pieces, aimed at the amateur market, Finger has sometimes been dismissed as a composer of trivial, unadventurous music. I hope that this recording will help to change that mindset, so that Finger finally receives the recognition he deserves.’

– Hazel Brooks

Duo Dorado:
- Hazel Brooks (Baroque violin)
- David Pollock (harpsichord, organ)