Enlightenment and Empfindsamkeit as a social and aesthetic ideal are traditionally associated with the northern parts of Germany, yet a new evaluation of sources and documents in Salzburg demonstrates the currency of these ideas in the archbishopric. A particular focus lies on the cultural transfer between the Protestant North and the Catholic South of the German-speaking lands.

The overarching theme of the present dissertation is the documentation of the cultural and intellectual environment of the Mozart family in Salzburg from 1750 until 1790. In a recording immanent for release on Lindberg Lyd, Imsen presents a new and fresh interpretation of the famous ‘Devil’s Sonata’, along with other works on baroque violin and Hardanger fiddle.”

Imsen has sought to re-implement Tartini’s patterns of embellishments, as well as other stylistic features, as found in the historical material – primarily in Tartini’s obscure treatise of ornamentation. The study concentrates on the florid and highly personal ornamental style of Giuseppe Tartini (1692-1770), a style that was influential well into the 19th century. This paper accounts for the methods and developments, among them the use of historical sources: “In his research of The Tartini Style, Sigurd Imsen has explored the art and craft of the 18th century’s violinists. As this is a programme for performing and visual arts, the final work is presented as a recording of violin sonatas. This is the critical reflection of a three-year work within the Norwegian Artistic Research Fellowship Programme.

Bach flute sonata bwv 1020 imslp