Giovanni Battista Sammartini (1701-75) was born in Milan, and unlike his contemporaries, spent all his life working in his home city. He became the major figure in musical life in the city, and devoted himself to instrumental, chamber and sacred music, composing only three stage works, making him one of those rare Italian composers who shunned the world of opera. His works were widely published in all the major cities of Europe, and he was on friendly terms with Gluck whom he taught from 1737-41, and Mozart whom he met during the young Austrian’s visit to Milan. His influence upon composers such as François-Joseph Gossec, Johann Christian Bach and Johann Stamitz was considerable. The Cello Sonatas presented here mark the transition between Baroque and Classicism, music full of charm, gracefulness, cantabile melodies and instrumental flourish. Played by the Italian ensemble Dolci Accenti, with Daniele Cernuto (Baroque cello), Calogero Sportato (Baroque guitar, theorbo, archlute), Cipriana Smarandescu (harpsichord) and Anna Grendene (Baroque cello).