Chopin University Press - ll continuo virtuoso (2023) Hi-Res

A violino e violone o cimbalo, meaning "for violin and cello or harpsichord". In this instrumentation manual, typical of an Italian sonata of Corelli's time, the most important conjunction is "lub". It gives the opportunity to choose the instrument accompanying the violin and clearly suggests that some sonatas should be performed as a duet. Martyna Pastuszka and Tomasz Pokrzywński - two respected musicians representing the historical performance movement - took advantage of this opportunity.

The musical paths of these artists crossed many times. Already as young musicians, they played dozens of concerts together and recorded several albums with the Arte dei Suonatori orchestra. After many years of gaining experience in renowned European early music ensembles, they met again - this time in the {oh!} Orchestra led by Martyna Pastuszka. The cooperation between both musicians turned out to be extremely successful and naturally extended to chamber music, leading, among other things, to the creation of this album.

Il continuo virtuoso is the fruit of many years of fascination with the possibilities of the cello as an instrument producing basso continuo. On this album, Tomasz Pokrzywński shows the unknown face of the cello, referring to the forgotten historical practice of virtuoso, improvised accompaniments for which many cellists from the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries were famous. The seemingly simple bass line transforms into a shimmering, colorful texture, which is an equal partner for the richly decorated violin part. The dialogue of the two instruments becomes more dynamic, expressive and engaging, fully revealing the richness and diversity of the presented songs.