The German Baroque period featured three virtuosi—Biber Westhoff and Johann Jakob Walther. Walther (1650-1717) performed as a violinist in the orchestra of Cosimo III from 1670 to 1674 (Medici dynasty) and served asconcertmaster at the court in Dresden.Walther’s compositions are contained in two books: Scherzi da Violino solo con il basso continuo (1676) and Hortulus Chelicus (1688). This book presents six sonatas for violinfrom Hortulus Chelicus transcribed for the mandolin. The collection is a wonderful addition to the classical mandolin repertoire. All the sonatas are written in standard notation and tablature.
