Henricus Albicastro (pseudonym of Johann Heinrich Weissenburg,c.1660–1730), one of the most enigmatic yet musically capable violinist-composers of his era, succeeded in marrying the polyphonic art of the south German violin school with the melodic and structural innovations of the Italians. The present work consists of five movements, the first three performed without a break, and culminates in a magnificent French-style passacaglia. F minor is not a natural key for the violin and some of the semiquaver passage-work is challenging, but this is arguably the most substantial and rewarding of the four ‘London’ sonatas, both for the violinist and the continuo player.

 Music example (pdf)