Our ensemble's next chamber series concert is a classical-era concert... and that means that we are featuring the Walther-model fortepiano that we have. It was the model of piano that Mozart favoured due to its ability to repeat notes... hammer technology had advanced a bit from the early days of transitioning from harpsichords (plucking with plectra) to pianos (hitting with hammers), and these fortepianos were on the cutting edge of late 18th century musical technology!

Anyway, it means that I also need to use a different violin from my regular Baroque style instrument... a Classical-era instrument with thinner gut stringing that is better suited to the A=430Hz that we use... and a different temperament, Young is what we usually use for classical stuff. Plus, a different bow... I actually favour an early Romantic style bow on my violin for these things... still much lighter than the modern counterparts, but I find this particular model more agile than the classical-era model that is common in today's usage.

Anyway, there is quite a lot of Baroque and modern compositions for solo violin... but there are very few from the Classical era! But a few years ago, I did pick up this very unusual and rarely played set of sonatas for solo violin by a Russian composer. Now, Russia in the classical era was very unknown for string repertoire... mostly favouring choral compositions instead, but this set is pretty decent... but amazingly fiendishly awkward and difficult to play. It is almost like the composer never knew what a violin's technical strengths and weaknesses were... or just didn't care!

So, I have been wanting to play these pieces in public for quite a while... but didn't have the guts. But I will do two movements from the set... and force myself to do it by programming them in this concert! Foolish? Perhaps... but I need a kick in the arse to do it... and what better than the threat of imminent public embarrassment?

Meanwhile, our new used car is getting a bit of a workout with moving around the various keyboard instruments. This time, it was to move a larger double manual harpsichord... and it git in just fine between the wheel indents. The fortepiano will be more of a challenge as it is wider and won't fit between the wheel bits. However, have asked a family member to construct a support platform so that it will be clear of those obstacles!

Which we will really need, as this length was only just fitting due to the angle that the instrument was at.... I still think that my wife didn't put the front seat down into the most optimum positioning... but it was too late to do anything about that! But it fit... if only just.

But a rear platform will mean that the instruments will be at a shallower angle, and then we will have more than enough space for the complete length!

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