Perhaps the first thing that catches the eye on this 2024 release by historical performance violinist is the genre designation: these pieces are called Assaggi (singular: Assagio), meaning an attempt but also carrying the sense of "taste." Indeed, there are numerous tastes reflected in these little pieces, from the Italian to the French to the already eclectic north German. is known as the father of Swedish music, and his instrumental ensemble music is increasingly often recorded. These pieces, however, though not new on recordings, are quite rare. Seeing the "per violino solo" designation may put listeners in mind of 's monumental set of solo violin sonatas and partitas, but 's works are not like these, and indeed, may not have even known them. The well-traveled met and and played with ; these left a mark on his style (there are little virtuoso turns in the Assaggi) but not a fundamental one. Instead, the biggest influence is , who wrote his own set of unaccompanied violin fantasias that studied closely. These are fantasias in all but name, with most of the movements lacking any tempo or genre designation at all. has 's natural tunefulness and his facility with mixing the various European Baroque styles that were coalescing into a single international language. says that these pieces have been popular in concert, and this is because he resists the temptation to make too much of them; they are bright and melodic, with just enough double stops and other violin techniques to spice them up. 's sound, from a small foundation hall in Mondovi, Italy, is ideal. ~ James Manheim