Sylvius Leopold Weiss was by far the most outstanding lutenist of the Baroque era. Contemporary accounts mention him together with Bach, Handel and Telemann as one of Germany’s most accomplished musicians. The Sonatas form part of a prodigious output which also included concertos, of which no complete example from his hand survives. At times deeply felt, at others infectiously lively, Sonatas Nos. 38 and 43, with their Finales redolent of the concerto form, are among the most technically-challenging music in the lute’s repertory, reminding us what a great performer Weiss must have been.