Matteis, Nicola | Ayrs for the violin | The second part (1676)

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Original edition restored by Atelier Philidor.

  • Titre complet: Other Ayrs Preluds Allmands Sarabandes...with full stops for the Violin by Nicola Matteis, The Second Part.
  • Instrumentation: violin, basso continuo
  • Edition | Source: Facsimile (2024) | Nicola Matteis, London, 1676
  • Notation | Clefs: G2, F4, figured bass
  • Pages | Format: 1 volume, 77 pages - 27.9 x 21.6 cm
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One of the first pieces of evidence of Italian invasion during the Baroque period in England is Ayrs for the Violin — the 4-volume book of solo and accompanied works for violin published by Nicola Matteis between 1676 and 1685. Reprinted several times in later years, the edition contains not only his compositions but also educational tips for performing techniques on the violin. Very little is known of Nicola Matteis early life, although he was probably born in Naples, describing himself as 'Napolitano' in several of his works. He came to London in the early 1670s and according to the diarist Roger North, had a city merchant as a sponsor, who schooled him in the ways of currying favor from the gentry (by allowing them to accompany him in parlor recitals and other minor performances). John Evelyn reports in his diary for 19 November 1674, the earliest notice of Matteis,

"I heard that stupendious Violin Signor Nichola (with other rare Musitians) whom certainly never mortal man exceeded on that instrument, he had a stroak so sweete, made it speaking like the Voice of a man and when he pleased, like a Consort of severall Instruments: he did wonders upon a Note: was an excellent Composer also. Nothing approched the violin in Nichola's hand: he seemed to be inspired and played such ravishing things on a ground as astonishd us all."

Matteis enjoyed great artistic and commercial success with his published music, notably four books of Ayres (1676, 1685). Matteis is credited with changing the English taste for violin playing from the French style to a newer, Italian one. Contemporaries described him as using a longer bow, with a new bow hold (closer to that used by modern players). His reputation grew through his lifetime and resulted in high praise for his live performances (in concert, audiences were often certain that more than one violin was being played) and widespread popularity for his music. Knowing many of his customers were amateurs, Matteis tended to give precise instructions in the prefaces to his published Ayres, providing detailed notes on bowing, explanations of ornaments, tempos, and other directions. These notes have proved valuable resources for scholars reconstructing the performance practices of the time.

TABLE

  1. Preludio
  2. Musica. Grave
  3. Sarabanda. Adagio
  4. Sarabanda. Adagio
  5. Aria burlesca. Presto
  6. Sminuita. Presto
  7. Aria Grave
  8. Ostinatione
  9. Aria
  10. Capriccio
  11. Giga. Al Genio. Turchesco
  12. Preludio in ostinatione
  13. Passaggio rotto
  14. Andamento malinconico
  15. Ricercata in G. sol re ut terza minore
  16. Corrente da Orecchie
  17. Corr. da piedi
  18. Sarabanda
  19. Giga
  20. Fuga
  21. Alemanda
  22. Aria & Variatione
  23. Fantasia
  24. Fantasia Violino solo
  25. Pavana Armoniosa
  26. Il Russignolo
  27. Alemanda ad imitatione d'un tartaglia
  28. Movimento incognito
  29. Passaggio rotto
  30. Fantasia (violino solo senza basso)
  31. Aria burlesca con molte bizzarrie
  32. Sonata
  33. Aria
  34. Corrente
  35. Corrente toà la maniera francese e italiana
  36. Al' aria che siegue
  37. Giga
  38. Violino solo, ad imitatione della trombetta
  39. Preludio
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