Ciaccona (Chaconne in G minor)

Tomaso Antonio Vitali (1663-1745), the eldest son of Giovanni Battista Vitali, was a composer in his own right as well as a violinist. The piece for which he is most well-known, the Chaconne in G minor (Ciaccona) for solo violin and continuo, was attributed to him in a 1867 publication Die hohe Schule des Violinspiels (No.13) edited by Ferdinand David, but it was considered until recently to be a “musical hoax” given that certain compositional practices found in the work were uncommon in the Baroque era generally and in other Vitali works specifics. More recent discoveries lend some credence to Vitali being the authentic composer, although the conclusion is not yet firm. Regardless, the piece has remained popular with violinists. This transcription for solo violin, organ, and string orchestra (8-8-5-5-5 in set) was completed by Ottorino Respighi.