Tommaso Giordani (1730-1806) was born in Naples, Italy, but his extensive travels brought him to London, where he built his career until his death. He wrote an immense amount of music: best known as an opera composer he also wrote chamber music for various instruments.

Giordani’s sonatas Opus 4 are for violin and keyboard, either harpsichord, fortepiano or organ. They are delightful 2-movement works in the Galante Style, like his fellow émigré Johann Christian Bach. The writing for the instruments, especially the keyboard, is of an advanced virtuosity, rich in scales, arpeggios, octave runs and fast passage work.

Excellent performances by the Lithuanian violinist Lina Uinskyte and keyboard player Marco Ruggeri, who already made a beautiful recording for Brilliant Classics of sonatas by J.C. Bach (BC94965).