Locatelli's L'Arte del violino gave new impetus to the solo concerto genre in 1733. This fresh wind is also noticeable in Ilya Gringolts' recently released recording with the Finnish Baroque Orchestra.
"It's my debut recording with a baroque instrument, and I'm insanely pleased to have been able to work with a real baroque orchestra," says Ilya Gringolts in an interview with concerti magazine, which took the recording as the occasion for a portrait of the violinist.
From his gut-stringed violin by Ferdinando Gagliano, Ilya Gringolts leads the Finnish Baroque Orchestra in three of the twelve concertos for solo violin, strings and basso continuo from the collection. With their extreme technical demands and interpolated solo caprices, Locatelli's works paved the way for the emergence of a violin virtuosity that was later reflected in Paganini's caprices.
Ilya Gringolts also performs music by Locatelli live: He celebrates the birth of virtuosity at the Elbphilharmonie with works by Locatelli, Tartini, Paganini and Sciarrino in a streamed concert by Ensemble Resonanz (available for further viewing here).
Locatelli - Il Labirintho Armonico
Ilya Gringolts, Finnish Baroque Orchestra
BIS-2445 SACD, EAN 7318599924458
BIS Records, Jan. 2021