Der habile Violiste

Each new album by Antoinette Lohmann and her ensemble Furor Musicus charts unknown territories, and this one, with repertoire by the German composer Johann Fischer (1646-1716/17) is no exception. Intrigued by the 17th century distinction between educated violinists and self-taught fiddlers, Antoinette has once again found a composer who provides music in both styles. For the occasion even an alternative ensemble Furor Agraricus was formed, employing such rustic instruments as Bumbass and clogfiddle. The album title Der habile Violiste (the skilled violinist) refers to the subtitle of one of Fischer's most witty compositions, in which he forces the soloist to change between three different instruments (violino piccolo, violin and viola), all in in different tunings (scordatura) so quickly that the player is bound for trouble...