Search - Ledesma, Justo, Joglar :: Violin Sonatas

At the time of Farinelli, Scarlatti, and Boccherini, Madrid was one of Europe's leading cultural centers. Successive marriages between Spanish kings and Italian princesses attracted greatly talented Italian musicians to the court. Ledesma was one of the few Spanish violinists among their number, his collaboration with Farinelli indicating the extent of his connection with the Italian school. This is also made clear in his sonatas, closely related with those of Corelli and his students. Among other influences is what might be termed "Espagnolism": the insertion of melodic turns of phrase and rhythms that recall Spanish folk music, also to be found in the music of Scarlatti and Boccherini.