Antonio Bazzini's life spanned the greater part of the 19th century. In his early years he was a celebrated violin virtuoso, comparable with Paganini. His compositions from this time were vehicles to show off his incredible technical skills. His most famous work "La Ronde des Lutins" (Dance of the Goblins) is still a popular encore for violinists. Bazzini's later work, composed when he retired from the concert platform and became a teacher (among his many pupils count Puccini and Catalani!) and composer, he wrote works in a more classical vein, like the substantial Violin Sonata featuring on this new recording. A delightful CD, played with panache and sensitivity by one of the most notable Italian violinists, Luca Fanfoni.