The solo concerto just like the sonata and the symphony made its first appearance at the beginning of the 18th century in Italy and spread all around Europe to gain universal fame. This 10-CD boxset release features a precious and unmissable anthology of Italian violin concertos composed by Vivaldi, Bonporti, Locatelli, Tartini, Lolli, Nardini, Rolla, Viotti and Paganini.

CD1 is dedicated to Antonio Vivaldi, whose solo concertos best expressed his vibrant creativity and brought the genre of violin, strings and basso continuo concertos to fame throughout Europe. The following CDs contain music composed by Vivaldi’s followers who aimed at finding their own personal voice. Some composers such as Locatelli, Tartini and Paganini were destined to become famous all over the world, while some others were perhaps lesser known, but were able to leave their footprint in the musical field thanks to their unique style made of expressive freedom, instrumental vivacity and formal clarity which later defined the iconic Italian style. The last two CDs contain music composed by Nicolò Paganini, whose daring and unattainable virtuosity brought this genre to its absolute peak.