description H. Schmelzer – Violin Sonata (Sonatae unarum fidium, 1664) Overview
Johann Heinrich Schmelzer's Sonatae unarum fidium is a 1664 collection of sonatas for solo violin with basso continuo. Published in Nuremberg, it is regarded as the first printed collection devoted entirely to this instrumentation and demonstrates the increasingly independent, technically demanding role of the violin in 17th-century music. The works are relevant to performers and scholars of Austrian Baroque music and early violin technique.
help H. Schmelzer – Violin Sonata (Sonatae unarum fidium, 1664) FAQ
What is Schmelzer's Sonatae unarum fidium?
It is a collection of six sonatas for violin and basso continuo by Johann Heinrich Schmelzer. The title refers to music for a single violin, supported by a continuo bass.
Why is Sonatae unarum fidium historically important?
It is generally described as the first collection of violin sonatas published by a German-speaking composer. That is more precise than calling it the first violin-sonata collection ever, because Italian composers had already published works in the genre. [Journal of Seventeenth-Century Music](https://sscm-jscm.org/v3/no1/wollny.html)
When and where was the collection published?
Sonatae unarum fidium was published in Nuremberg in 1664. Its publication made Schmelzer's virtuoso violin writing available outside the Italian centers that dominated the genre.
What does Schmelzer's collection sound like?
The music uses contrasting sections, independent violin writing, brilliant virtuosity, and variation procedures over a ground bass. Those features place it firmly in the mid-Baroque sound world of the 1660s.
explore Explore More
Similar to H. Schmelzer – Violin Sonata (Sonatae unarum fidium, 1664)
compare_arrows Compare: H.I.F. Biber – Passacaglia f... See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
