"Superb! Very inspired material eloquently written. Stanley Ritchie explains each movement of Bach's solo violin Sonatas and Partitas with such clarity and understanding in the thought process without being in any way 'dry'. "-- Stringendo AUSTA "For any violinist, this book is a practical delight. It deserves to join the great works by Leopold Mozart, Editha Knocker, Leopold Auer, Pierre Baillot, Joseph Szigeti, and their peers, which are on every serious player's shelf."-- Fontes Artis Musicae "In this book the Nestor of American historically informed players offers a practical guide to the possibilities of translating the past in the present."--Reinhard Goebel, conductor and founder of Musica Antiqua Köln "This 'work' fills what I have felt for many years to be a serious void in the violin literature. Performing and teaching the solo sonatas and partitas of Bach on both 'modern' and 'period' instruments has shown me how vital it is to have an authoritative 'work' that provides answers to the interpretive questions that will lead the contemporary violinist to a more historically informed performance. As I read (and re-read) these pages, I found myself saying 'bravo' and 'finally' frequently in happy agreement.

Stanley Ritchie has given Francesco Geminiani, Leopold Mozart, and Pierre Baillot a worthy companion on the bookshelf of dedicated fiddlers. Thank you for this splendid addition to our literature! It has all of the elegance and integrity that has typified Richie's admirable fiddling in both the modern and 'authentic' worlds."--Joseph Silverstein, violinist, conductor, and Professor of Music.