12 Concerti da camera for two violins and basso continuo, Op. 2

Known primarily for his important contributions to the development of both the solo concerto (mainly for trumpet and violin) and the ensemble concerto (with trumpets, oboes, violins and cellos), Torelli also played a fundamental role in establishing the trio sonata as a standard genre. His first two published collections were printed in 1686 and consist of mostly trio Sonate da Chiesa (Opus 1), and twelve Sonate da Camera as his Opus 2, recorded here. In purely formal terms, Torelli’s Opus 2 sonatas are fairly conventional, although each composition displays some surprising features. All sonatas consist of three dances: in each of these dances he explores a great variety of styles. Given the extraordinary quality of Torelli’s music, it is astonishing that his published collections were only reprinted once or twice, and mostly during his lifetime. Only recently have musicians and scholars begun to valorize his music again, and this recording is an important contribution to our appreciation of Torelli as a pivotal chamber music composer.