Giuseppe Valentini was an Italian composer, violinist and poet. He worked and spent most of his life in Rome. Beside being less known compared to some of his illustrious contemporary and compatriots composers (Vivaldi and Corelli), Valentini’s works are considered by many critiques as fundamental for the baroque italian style, mostly because of his violin compositions. This is sonata is taken from one of the 12 Allettamenti per camera a violino, e violoncello, o cembalo, op. 8, specifically the no. 10. Written in 1714, the Allettamenti were a collection of chamber music pieces for violin and cello (or harpsichord). Allettamenti can be literally translated as “flatteries.” They were dedicated to one of his wealthiest patrons, who was also one of his violin students.

The Italian cellist Carlo Alfredo Piatti took the original material by Valentini and edited it in a modern way for cello and piano. The sonata alternates slow and fast movements, in the typical Baroque style. The cello’s writing is brilliant and virtuosic.