Tartini’s violin school in Padua had such a wide international character that it was known as the ‘School of the Nations’. For over 40 years his students returned to their countries of origin, circulating what became a significant cultural legacy. France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands are represented here, as are mid-18th-century tastes for virtuosity and lyrical expressiveness, infused with the fingerprints of Tartini’s stylish and often delightfully ornamental techniques. Volume 1 (CDS723) of this edition was admired for its ‘exquisite violin playing’ (American Record Guide) and was ‘strongly recommended across the board’ by Fanfare.

Born in Trieste, Črtomir Šiškovič studied in his native city and in Ljubljana (Slovenia). In 1976 he gratuated with full marks from the Conservatory of Trieste, then furthered his studies with Igor Ozim and the Amadeus Quartet in Cologne, where, in 1980, he earned a diploma with full marks and special mention at the prestigious Musikhochschule. In 1982 he took specialization courses with Franco Gulli and the Borodin Quartet in Bloomington (USA), with Max Rostal in Klagenfurt (Austria), and with Viktor Pikaizen in Switzerland.

Luca Ferrini studied piano, harpsichord, organ and organ composition, graduating with full marks from the Conservatories of Trieste and Udine. For more than thirty years he has performed all over Europe and the world, equally acclaimed on all three instruments, as a soloist, in chamber ensembles and as a soloist with orchestra, often under the baton of renowned conductors. He is a member of early music and contemporary ensembles, who has recorded 40 CDs (as a pianist, harpsichordist and organist) and made recordings for some ten European radios and televisions, as well as been featured on live radio programmes.