A spritely partnership between violin and cello, with deft rhythmic accompaniment on harpsichord. 23-year-old Chicago violinist Rachel Barton runs through the allegros agilely and gives carefattention to the slower movements - andantes, adagios, graves and such – that begin most of these pieces, which are mainly in church sonata format.
The music's virtuosic character is rendered with superb, resonant double and triple stopping and de-emphasized dance motion in the allegros. Barton also lets the music's raw, improvised feeling hang out a little, giving the recording a refreshing zest. Clearly, she welcomes the popular touch, having twice played her own rendition of the national anthem at Chicago Bulls playoff games. Bowing to refinement, she plays an Amati violin (1617).
Copyright © 1997, Mark Longaker