Born into a humble family in 18th-century Italy, Pietro Nardini’s (1722-1793) talent for violin playing led him to Livorno to study with the celebrated Giuseppe Tartini, where he reportedly became as good a violinist as his teacher. He travelled throughout Europe and was resident musician at several of its major courts – notably Tuscany, where he was Director of Music at the court of Grand Duke Leopold in Florence and worked there until his death. Such was his reputation as an extraordinarily expressive technician that he was asked to play in the presence of King Ferdinand IV and Queen Maria Carolina in Naples as well as Wolfgang and Leopold Mozart. Nardini left behind an extensive musical oeuvre, largely focused on the violin. All genres in which the violin plays an important role are represented in it. His style follows that of his time: melodious, uncomplicated and intended to be enjoyed by the listener. This new recording presents the complete works for two violins, with and without Basso Continuo, music of great charm, beauty and instrumental warmth. Igor Ruhadze’s Brilliant Classics recording of sonatas by Locatelli (94736) won warm praise from Gramophone. ‘The playing is elegantly supple, the string tone warm, and the architecture of individual movements thoughtfully worked out. All this makes for a pleasant mood and enjoyable listening. The more exuberant pieces are brilliantly and at times breathtakingly performed.’ Fanfare extended an equally enthusiastic welcome to Ruhadze’s album of concertos by Jean-Marie Leclair (95290): ‘The playing… is really top-notch… the group’s robust sound belies its small numbers… it’s hard to argue with playing as good as this.’ On this recording he plays with Daria Gorban (baroque violin), Jacopo Ristori (baroque cello) and Alexander Puliaev (harpsichord).