London Sonata no. 6

D major could be described as the great “extrovert” key in late Baroque string music, and Florentine composer Martino Bitti’s four-movement sonata, in the classic slow–fast–slow–fast configuration, does not disappoint in this respect. In particular, the second movement, an allemande-like Allegro, tests the player’s ability to execute broken-chord figures neatly. Bitti’s artistic personality always shines through, however, and the music never loses its poise, melodic beauty remaining its highest goal.