Vivaldi’s Op 2 contains 12 violin sonatas, and was originally released in an edition by the Venetian music publisher Antonio Bortoli in 1709. The sonatas were highly regarded enough for Estienne Roger to publish his own edition in Amsterdam three years later, quickly followed by a pirated edition by John Walsh in London. Listening to this impressive new recording it is easy to understand why Vivaldi’s sonatas remain appealing. Of the six sonatas included here, each is packed with musical treasure. Elizabeth Wallfisch’s delivery of the fast movements is dazzling. Her animated and witty playing in the Giga towards the end of the second sonata (track 8) is stunning. More memorable still is her clean and lyrical expression in Vivaldi’s simpler melodic movements. The slower Andante movements that introduce each sonata are sensuously played, and suggest Vivaldi could articulate emotional depth beyond his Corellian model.

Richard Tunnicliffe and Malcolm Proud form an ideally sympathetic continuo section. In Bortoli’s 1709 printed edition, these sonatas were described as for violin and cello, without mention of a keyboard instrument. Following this clue, the third sonata is performed as a fabulous sinewy duet.

This magnificent disc is complemented by an authoritative essay by Professor Michael Talbot. My only regret is that Hyperion has no plans to complete the set with a second volume. The quality of these performances beg for a prompt sequel.