Product Description Trio Settecento, the superlative Chicago-based early music ensemble (Gramophone), presents Italian Baroque composer Francesco Maria Veracinis monumental Opus 2 Sonate Accademiche for violin and continuo. Its a cosmopolitan collection of 12 sonatas of breathtaking scope and pan-European influences a set of sonatas unlike any other of the era. One of the greatest violin virtuosos of his era who loved entertaining and dazzling audiences with his pyrotechnical playing, Veracinis Sonate Accedemiche is both homage to his fellow-countryman Arcangelo Corelli and an original masterpiece in its own right. Billboard chart-topping violinist Rachel Barton Pine, one of the rare mainstream performers with a total grasp of Baroque style and embellishment (Fanfare) is joined by her colleagues in Trio Settecento, cellist John Mark Rozendaal and harpsichordist David Schrader. Trio Settecento has cultivated fans across North America through appearances at prestigious concert series, festivals, and venues, which frequently include the music of Veracini. Review 10 Artistic Quality/10 Sound Quality"You might think that three very full discs of violin sonatas by one composer is a bit too much-and perhaps it is for one sitting; but unlike the work of some other composers of the period, Veracini's sonatas don't stick to a formula, nor do they always do what you think they are going to do. So you're always in for a surprise, not to mention, as realized by Pine, an often dazzling display of violin wizardry. Of course Pine benefits from the long collegial relationship with her trio partners and from the excellent sonics from Cedille's recording team. Incidentally, Pine plays an unaltered 1770 Nicola Gagliano violin, John Mark Rozendaal plays a David Tecchler cello from 1705, and David Schrader's single-manual harpsichord (an ideal ensemble partner with the two strings) is tuned in unequal temperament-all of which will appeal to period enthusiasts, but more importantly, lends an indefinable richness and extraordinary vibrant quality to the sound. Highly recommended." --David Vernier, Classicstoday.com, 2015
