"No mortal ever played the violin better than Signor Nichola." The English rubbed their eyes in disbelief when in the late 17th century Nicola Matteis demonstrated his superior playing. Josef ´ák, Czech and violin prodigy of the latest generation, has selected three suites from Matteis' Ayres for violin and basso continuo. He combines these with work by Giovanni Antonio Guido, who also studied in Naples and developed his career in France.