Anton Steck is one of the leading exponents of the Baroque violin around today. He began his studies in Karlsruhe on the modern violin, but after coming into contact with Reinhard Goebel he decided to change course and to concentrate instead on period performance. He was soon much in demand as a leader of ensembles specialising in authentic performances of the Baroque and Classical repertoire, notably Musica Antiqua Köln and the Musiciens du Louvre-Grenoble (directed by Marc Minkowski). Since 2005, he has been the leader of Concerto Köln. He has received numerous awards for his gramophone recordings, most notably a Diapason d’Or for his recordings of Mozart’s youthful violin sonatas (K55–60) and the violin sonatas of Johann Georg Pisendel.

A pupil of Gustav Leonhardt at the Sweelinck Conservatorium of Amsterdam, Marieke Spaans gained her performance and teaching diploma there in 1997, before furthering her studies with Jos van Immerseel and Lars-Erik Mortensen. Since 1997 she has won several prizes at international competitions. She appears as both a soloist and as a continuo player (especially with the Combattimento Consort Amsterdam) and is equally at home in chamber music, opera and oratorio. She is much sought after as a harpsichordist and regularly works with the violinists Anton Steck and John Holloway.

Include on both SACDs are Artists Interviews.